Life in Asheville keeps flying along. We spent the last week surviving 90-100 heat without AC, which can get a little tedious. It cooled off yesterday though and is 70 degrees and raining today. Whew!
Robin and I took a long weekend down to Charleston, SC the second week of June. We went down with Jeremy Noble (who is in Robin's class at Daoist Traditions--DT) and stayed at his mother's condo. He has lived in the area for the last 10 years. It was a great trip. On the way home however, I rear-ended a truck in front of me on the interstate...luckily in stop and go traffic! Long story short, we were temporarily stranded, got the car fixed and made it home safe and sound. Saving you all the details, this was the beginning of a process that ended with me buying a new (used) car last week! I bought a silver 2008 Toyota Prius and so far am really loving it. We are still getting to know one another, but I'm pretty sure her name is Sexy Sadie :)
I also took a short trip up to Yogaville a week and half later to visit my friends Hope and Elissa. I stayed with Hope and sort of flew under the radar as far as the Ashram goes, but it was really nice to revisit the place and the people for two days. It did not take long though for me to be itching to get back home to Asheville though, which I took as a good sign.
Our new roommate, Zach, has been great so far. He is kind and considerate and clean, what more can one hope for? Although, Robin and I both miss Caitlin's company at times, but she's off in South America right now so...
I'm still in the slow, and at times, emotionally/physically/mentally draining process of building my practice, but am, overall succeeding in the effort. I still LOVE my new office and finally have things hanging on the wall and everything in order.
I do still have plenty of moments in which I am questioning everything I am and everything I am doing in my life, but know it is all a journey. Today while I was on a morning walk, coming down a little hill, I had the thought that maybe the trick is to live a little more like my Prius drives for the best gas mileage--coasting on the downhills, remembering to ease up off the accelerator pedal, speeding up and braking less and instead trying to maintain a more consistent and flowing tempo...The thought made me chuckle a little at myself. Although, there is something in there about the path of least resistance...:)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
May Flowers
What a fun month May is turning out to be!
To begin with, the weather has been f-a-bulous. Lots of sun combined with dynamic thunderstorms and temperatures in the 70s. I am still loving my new office and seem to be keeping busy (enough) in the money making department. Many days in the last several weeks I find myself very grateful that I don't work a traditional 40 hour work week (although my erratic work schedule does have it's drawbacks).
I have been playing golf on a semi-regular basis at the local municipal course and am enjoying reconnecting with a hobby I've let sit for a few years. In general life feels more social. The season of summer festivals has started here in AVL and it is impossible to go to everything. It is fun though. Being downtown, it is a little bit of a shock to transition back into tourist season mode, but I love all the people out and about.
Just yesterday Robin and I finished putting in a garden at the house that we are both excited about. It took us a little longer than we hoped to get the grass turned up and the soil tilled, but the hardest part is over. In addition to getting the garden ready, I've spent some time outdoors in the yard potting plants, weeding etc and am glad to be in a house instead of an apartment where I can do so. The only part I don't love is mowing the lawn...oh well though.
Our current roommate, Caitlin, will be moving out the end of this month. She is taking the summer off and traveling in South America. We will miss her, but are also excited for our new roommate Zach to move in. Caitlin will be back in AVL this fall so it's not a forever goodbye, which is good.
Robin is wrapping up her first year of acupuncture school and has comprehensive exams next week. I can hardly believe she's finished her first year, so I can't imagine how she feels. I really enjoy being close to her learning/growing practice and think the medicine she is learning is so powerful. In general, time seems so relative to me right now. Like, in two weeks, I'll be turning 28. What? College was 6 years ago...high school 10...I don't feel like I'm aging, why must the rest of the world insist that I am? :) Fun though.
Time to move on to the rest of my day!
To begin with, the weather has been f-a-bulous. Lots of sun combined with dynamic thunderstorms and temperatures in the 70s. I am still loving my new office and seem to be keeping busy (enough) in the money making department. Many days in the last several weeks I find myself very grateful that I don't work a traditional 40 hour work week (although my erratic work schedule does have it's drawbacks).
I have been playing golf on a semi-regular basis at the local municipal course and am enjoying reconnecting with a hobby I've let sit for a few years. In general life feels more social. The season of summer festivals has started here in AVL and it is impossible to go to everything. It is fun though. Being downtown, it is a little bit of a shock to transition back into tourist season mode, but I love all the people out and about.
Just yesterday Robin and I finished putting in a garden at the house that we are both excited about. It took us a little longer than we hoped to get the grass turned up and the soil tilled, but the hardest part is over. In addition to getting the garden ready, I've spent some time outdoors in the yard potting plants, weeding etc and am glad to be in a house instead of an apartment where I can do so. The only part I don't love is mowing the lawn...oh well though.
Our current roommate, Caitlin, will be moving out the end of this month. She is taking the summer off and traveling in South America. We will miss her, but are also excited for our new roommate Zach to move in. Caitlin will be back in AVL this fall so it's not a forever goodbye, which is good.
Robin is wrapping up her first year of acupuncture school and has comprehensive exams next week. I can hardly believe she's finished her first year, so I can't imagine how she feels. I really enjoy being close to her learning/growing practice and think the medicine she is learning is so powerful. In general, time seems so relative to me right now. Like, in two weeks, I'll be turning 28. What? College was 6 years ago...high school 10...I don't feel like I'm aging, why must the rest of the world insist that I am? :) Fun though.
Time to move on to the rest of my day!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Oh, to be back with the world!
Heeelllloooo again World!!!
I am finally back to a blog writing space in my life. So many changes since my last post in October of 2011.
I am still in Asheville, NC making a go at life. I am doing massage full-time and just rented my own office starting this month. I'm very excited about the upgrade/shift to greater focus on my private practice and absolutely love the new space. I am still in the hard work process of growing my clientele (not sure this will ever end) and establishing myself, but it is all worth it. I am still working a few days a week at the Chiropractor's office near my house, which is a nice supplement.
Robin and I are still living together and loving it. She has been/is super busy with her second semester of school at Daoists Traditions getting her Masters in Chinese Medicine (a 4 year program that she will graduate from as a Licensed Acupuncturist).
My divorce was finalized in January of 2012. It was definitely a much needed final close to a good, if challenging, chapter of my life. I do feel like I am finally starting to be able to move on and blossom into the next phase and whatever it holds for me. Fun, fun!!
We were able to visit Driggs for a 10 day trip over Christmas which was a wonderful on many levels. It was the first time in three years that the whole family was together for Christmas. I am thinking about coming back for another visit this summer, perhaps coinciding with my 10 year high school reunion. Ten years, crazy!!!
Robin and I took a week long trip to the Bay area over her spring break this March which was another enjoyable and well-needed get-away from Asheville (as much as we both love it here!)
Spring is in full swing here and it is all sorts of lovely and beautiful and inspiring. The only downside is how often we have already needed to mow our lawn.
Our three cats continue to bring love and joy into life. Buddy had a stay at the vet in January due to some pretty serious abscess injuries from outdoor cat fights. The upside of the whole event is that he was forced to stay inside for a couple of weeks and 1) make peace with using the litter box again and 2) finally bond with the new cat Max (who adores Buddy) and sort of rejoin the Hansen family ranks.
Max continues to be a quirky joy and it is so much fun to watch him grow up. I can't remember what it was like not having him!!
To spring!
I am finally back to a blog writing space in my life. So many changes since my last post in October of 2011.
I am still in Asheville, NC making a go at life. I am doing massage full-time and just rented my own office starting this month. I'm very excited about the upgrade/shift to greater focus on my private practice and absolutely love the new space. I am still in the hard work process of growing my clientele (not sure this will ever end) and establishing myself, but it is all worth it. I am still working a few days a week at the Chiropractor's office near my house, which is a nice supplement.
Robin and I are still living together and loving it. She has been/is super busy with her second semester of school at Daoists Traditions getting her Masters in Chinese Medicine (a 4 year program that she will graduate from as a Licensed Acupuncturist).
My divorce was finalized in January of 2012. It was definitely a much needed final close to a good, if challenging, chapter of my life. I do feel like I am finally starting to be able to move on and blossom into the next phase and whatever it holds for me. Fun, fun!!
We were able to visit Driggs for a 10 day trip over Christmas which was a wonderful on many levels. It was the first time in three years that the whole family was together for Christmas. I am thinking about coming back for another visit this summer, perhaps coinciding with my 10 year high school reunion. Ten years, crazy!!!
Robin and I took a week long trip to the Bay area over her spring break this March which was another enjoyable and well-needed get-away from Asheville (as much as we both love it here!)
Spring is in full swing here and it is all sorts of lovely and beautiful and inspiring. The only downside is how often we have already needed to mow our lawn.
Our three cats continue to bring love and joy into life. Buddy had a stay at the vet in January due to some pretty serious abscess injuries from outdoor cat fights. The upside of the whole event is that he was forced to stay inside for a couple of weeks and 1) make peace with using the litter box again and 2) finally bond with the new cat Max (who adores Buddy) and sort of rejoin the Hansen family ranks.
Max continues to be a quirky joy and it is so much fun to watch him grow up. I can't remember what it was like not having him!!
To spring!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Maxaroni!
The cat that is! Last week Robin and went and picked up the cutest little kitten ever! We were co-captains in the effort to adopt him and welcome him into the home, but we have since agreed that Max is, in fact, my new cat. He has been an (almost literal) ray of sunshine in my life the last 10 days. He is soooo loving and wants to be wherever I am, preferably on my lap or playing close by. I didn't realize how much I needed some constant, unconditional love and attention (not to mention a little purpose beyond trying to sort myself and my life out, which I am a little weary of).
The other cats of the household have not welcomed him so willingly, as was to be expected. Pickle spent the first week growling, moaning, and generally stating her various levels of upset vocally whenever she even heard him meow. She's already coming around though and I'm sure she and Max will be playing with one another soon. Buddy on the other hand...he at least hasn't terrorized the little one, but has pretty much decided to live outside. He'll come in and eat for a few minutes until he sees Max, or remembers that Max exists, and he can barely handle it. He'll stop mid-chew and beg at the door to be let out again. If you can't solve your problems, run from them....right??? It is starting to cool off here a fair bit though (much sooner than last year) and he is as picky about warm weather as I am, so will have to get over Max's presence if he wants to sleep inside.
Beyond the new kitten, life feels a little like a grey blur most of the time. Maybe particularly because it was literally grey and rainyish for about 10 days this month, which is unusual around here. Work is still, well, work--although I'm very grateful to have it. On top of having "it" most of my working hours have been massage hours (whether for myself or the chiropractors office) which is slightly monumental (although it would be nice if there were a few more hours...but, with time, I know that will happen). Besides work, I have been...um, well, maybe resting? Sort of not expecting anything out of myself beyond what it takes to get through each day. I think this is healthy for me, at least for a little while. I feel exhausted in about every aspect of my life-mental, emotional, physical, spiritual...but then I remember my last, well 3 years, and forgive myself for feeling that way (at least a little bit). It has been a crazy ride through my mid-20s, maybe it is time to slow down and refuel a little, stop expecting myself to be superwoman in an effort to prove to myself (and the world?) that I know what I'm doing, and that I don't make mistakes. Really though, who ever does know? And, aren't mistakes what make us human? (Easier said than lived...at least by me). It's all a journey though.
In the meantime, my new companion Max is curling up right next to my heart and keeping me in the present moment--and also giving me plenty of "legitimate" opportunities to take cat naps with him!!
The fall winds are definitely blowing through Asheville. Any time now, the hills will break out in a symphony of color as "leaf season" descends upon the northwestern corner of NC. I'm almost ready for it, but just barely. Summer seemed so short, but that's time. It must speed up with age, or something. (Although this year in general has sort of melted away and slipped through the cracks, like an ice cube left on a picnic table out in the sun-just disappeared for the most part; I know, I know, it's not over yet :)).
Well, I think that's all for now.
The other cats of the household have not welcomed him so willingly, as was to be expected. Pickle spent the first week growling, moaning, and generally stating her various levels of upset vocally whenever she even heard him meow. She's already coming around though and I'm sure she and Max will be playing with one another soon. Buddy on the other hand...he at least hasn't terrorized the little one, but has pretty much decided to live outside. He'll come in and eat for a few minutes until he sees Max, or remembers that Max exists, and he can barely handle it. He'll stop mid-chew and beg at the door to be let out again. If you can't solve your problems, run from them....right??? It is starting to cool off here a fair bit though (much sooner than last year) and he is as picky about warm weather as I am, so will have to get over Max's presence if he wants to sleep inside.
Beyond the new kitten, life feels a little like a grey blur most of the time. Maybe particularly because it was literally grey and rainyish for about 10 days this month, which is unusual around here. Work is still, well, work--although I'm very grateful to have it. On top of having "it" most of my working hours have been massage hours (whether for myself or the chiropractors office) which is slightly monumental (although it would be nice if there were a few more hours...but, with time, I know that will happen). Besides work, I have been...um, well, maybe resting? Sort of not expecting anything out of myself beyond what it takes to get through each day. I think this is healthy for me, at least for a little while. I feel exhausted in about every aspect of my life-mental, emotional, physical, spiritual...but then I remember my last, well 3 years, and forgive myself for feeling that way (at least a little bit). It has been a crazy ride through my mid-20s, maybe it is time to slow down and refuel a little, stop expecting myself to be superwoman in an effort to prove to myself (and the world?) that I know what I'm doing, and that I don't make mistakes. Really though, who ever does know? And, aren't mistakes what make us human? (Easier said than lived...at least by me). It's all a journey though.
In the meantime, my new companion Max is curling up right next to my heart and keeping me in the present moment--and also giving me plenty of "legitimate" opportunities to take cat naps with him!!
The fall winds are definitely blowing through Asheville. Any time now, the hills will break out in a symphony of color as "leaf season" descends upon the northwestern corner of NC. I'm almost ready for it, but just barely. Summer seemed so short, but that's time. It must speed up with age, or something. (Although this year in general has sort of melted away and slipped through the cracks, like an ice cube left on a picnic table out in the sun-just disappeared for the most part; I know, I know, it's not over yet :)).
Well, I think that's all for now.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Changes
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! (well, can't you always really say that about life?)
So, it's almost September already and, although I'm not 100% sure how, I have managed to arrive here with it in (mostly) one piece. Thank heavens! The last few weeks have been full of a lot of remembering-what my life like was last August, or the August before, or the August before that. Each year has been so different! I must say, even though I do like variety, I'm ready for the swings to be a little less drastic than they have been the last few years.
So, the great change news is that I landed a new massage job that I'm really excited about. I'm working as an independent contractor at a Chiropractor's office literally a minute walk from my house. The practice has been there almost 20 years and I really like the staff and the doctor who works there. I'm getting paid a fair split for my work (especially for this area) and am still free to practice elsewhere. So far, it is going really well there and I am so grateful to have gotten the job! By far the most important change this makes in my life is that, by the middle of September I will be paying my bills primarily with massage work! Definitely a first. Does that mean I am officially a massage therapist then??
Another big change that effects me but really isn't mine, is that Robin started classes this week at Daoist Traditions where she will spend the next four years getting a Masters in Oriental Medicine and becoming a Licensed Acupuncturist. This means she is going to be super busy between work, full-time school, and studying. Maybe it's time for me to make a few more friends in the area...I'm so excited for her and am looking forward to being proxy to her learning, I'm sure I'll pick a few more things up!
I am still loving Asheville, particularly the climate. Summer was a little on the hot side, but we survived sans AC and now you can feel a hint of fall in the air with a nice breeze, days in the 80s nights in the 60s...it's lovely. Plus, it will continue to be so for another 3 months! The house we moved into feels like home. The location is great (although we wish there were fewer speedy loud scooters zipping by), the space is great, the housemates are great. Overall a nice shift, although I do miss the pool from the condo quite a bit...but the trade-offs of moving have been well worth it. The cats continue to entertain constantly, they are both so goofy and quirky. We are happy to find that they are both terrified by (moving) cars and are very good at running the other direction when one is even thinking of getting close to them.
And life goes on...
So, it's almost September already and, although I'm not 100% sure how, I have managed to arrive here with it in (mostly) one piece. Thank heavens! The last few weeks have been full of a lot of remembering-what my life like was last August, or the August before, or the August before that. Each year has been so different! I must say, even though I do like variety, I'm ready for the swings to be a little less drastic than they have been the last few years.
So, the great change news is that I landed a new massage job that I'm really excited about. I'm working as an independent contractor at a Chiropractor's office literally a minute walk from my house. The practice has been there almost 20 years and I really like the staff and the doctor who works there. I'm getting paid a fair split for my work (especially for this area) and am still free to practice elsewhere. So far, it is going really well there and I am so grateful to have gotten the job! By far the most important change this makes in my life is that, by the middle of September I will be paying my bills primarily with massage work! Definitely a first. Does that mean I am officially a massage therapist then??
Another big change that effects me but really isn't mine, is that Robin started classes this week at Daoist Traditions where she will spend the next four years getting a Masters in Oriental Medicine and becoming a Licensed Acupuncturist. This means she is going to be super busy between work, full-time school, and studying. Maybe it's time for me to make a few more friends in the area...I'm so excited for her and am looking forward to being proxy to her learning, I'm sure I'll pick a few more things up!
I am still loving Asheville, particularly the climate. Summer was a little on the hot side, but we survived sans AC and now you can feel a hint of fall in the air with a nice breeze, days in the 80s nights in the 60s...it's lovely. Plus, it will continue to be so for another 3 months! The house we moved into feels like home. The location is great (although we wish there were fewer speedy loud scooters zipping by), the space is great, the housemates are great. Overall a nice shift, although I do miss the pool from the condo quite a bit...but the trade-offs of moving have been well worth it. The cats continue to entertain constantly, they are both so goofy and quirky. We are happy to find that they are both terrified by (moving) cars and are very good at running the other direction when one is even thinking of getting close to them.
And life goes on...
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Move
Well the month of May...and June...have flown by!! Robin and I moved into a new house in West Asheville the first of the month right after mom and dad came for a visit. We spent a few days with them in Charleston, SC at the beach, drove back on a Wednesday night, packed our entire house up on Thursday, rented a U-haul and moved everything Friday, then both went to work all day Saturday and Sunday. The ensuing weeks have been absolutely crazy, but I for one am really happy to be in the new place (even though I loved the old place too!). We moved in with a friend, Caitlin, who used to live with a mutual friend Robin and I met working at Mela. She is fabulous and it is actually really nice to be sharing space with her.
We are living in an actual house now that is newly remodeled, and so is very nice and new and clean. The owner bought it and renovated it with hopes to sell it but it has sat empty for too long and he decided to rent it instead. It is really wonderful to have a yard and a house feel; it is definitely different than living in a the condo. The best part though is the house's location. West Asheville has it's own small town, community feel with it's own collection of restaurants etc. Both Robin and I are working over here, which means we now walk to work and sometimes go several days without actually getting in the car to go anywhere. I LOVE it! The cats are having a little bit of a rough time adjusting, but are slowly coming around. We are (finally) almost settled in. There are pictures on the walls, no more boxes and we we just bought a few more rug for the floors today, which already makes it feel a tad cozier.
I am working at the garden 3 days a week and loving it, even if all I do some days is weed. I also have one regular shift as a receptionist at the acupuncture clinic and am starting to pick up some on massage clients, which is so good and I am increasingly enjoying practicing. Starting July 1 I will be renting about 15 hours a week in the space I used to have an office in, which I am excited about. Between there and the space in my house, I have a decent amount of availability without intruding too much on the home environment. Plus it is a 10 minute walk from where I live.
I spent last week back in Driggs visiting family and friends. Despite the (typical) mid-June rainy/cold weather, I had a wonderful visit. It was also nice to come home to Asheville after the visit. That is a pretty significant shift really, to refer to coming back to Asheville as coming home! All in all, things are going really well and I'm happy. I do not often know what to expect a week from now, but that is part of the beauty-working on the present moment!
We are living in an actual house now that is newly remodeled, and so is very nice and new and clean. The owner bought it and renovated it with hopes to sell it but it has sat empty for too long and he decided to rent it instead. It is really wonderful to have a yard and a house feel; it is definitely different than living in a the condo. The best part though is the house's location. West Asheville has it's own small town, community feel with it's own collection of restaurants etc. Both Robin and I are working over here, which means we now walk to work and sometimes go several days without actually getting in the car to go anywhere. I LOVE it! The cats are having a little bit of a rough time adjusting, but are slowly coming around. We are (finally) almost settled in. There are pictures on the walls, no more boxes and we we just bought a few more rug for the floors today, which already makes it feel a tad cozier.
I am working at the garden 3 days a week and loving it, even if all I do some days is weed. I also have one regular shift as a receptionist at the acupuncture clinic and am starting to pick up some on massage clients, which is so good and I am increasingly enjoying practicing. Starting July 1 I will be renting about 15 hours a week in the space I used to have an office in, which I am excited about. Between there and the space in my house, I have a decent amount of availability without intruding too much on the home environment. Plus it is a 10 minute walk from where I live.
I spent last week back in Driggs visiting family and friends. Despite the (typical) mid-June rainy/cold weather, I had a wonderful visit. It was also nice to come home to Asheville after the visit. That is a pretty significant shift really, to refer to coming back to Asheville as coming home! All in all, things are going really well and I'm happy. I do not often know what to expect a week from now, but that is part of the beauty-working on the present moment!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Exclamation Mark
I started working last weekend at the Sunny Pointe Cafe's organic garden in West Asheville, via a reference from a friend I used to work with at Mela (who also works in the garden). It is so enjoyable. In three and a half days there I have already learned so much, I can only imagine how I'll feel after the whole season!
The garden manager is an excellent person to be working with, she is very knowledgeable and, for a lack of a better word, real. My first day working, one of the restaurant staff asked her if he would be able to pull a sucker off of a Dogwood tree in the garden and get it to grow at his house. Her response was, "First, don't call them suckers, it hurts their feelings! And yes, you can get a start off of the tree..." and proceeded to tell him how. She actually told me...or, more like gave me permission, to work slower yesterday. I have never had a job where I've been told to work less efficiently! She said something like, "When you're moving too fast, it stresses the plants out. They can feel your energy. You may think I'm crazy, but they can. Make sure you're grounded." I love it!!!
This month has been crazy, good, busy wonderful and full of constant changes and transitions. In all truth, my whole last year fits under this description, but this month is more than the normal. I think it may be something about the time of year, many of the people I know are having a busy-yet very fulfilling-month. It is incredible how much can happen in even one afternoon somedays. I am also doing a fair amount of reflecting on 1 year ago and how different my life looked then. It's crazy. I am so grateful for it all though!
My parents will be visiting in 10 days and Robin and I are greatly anticipating their visit. They will spend a few days here in Asheville with us, then the four of us are heading to Charleston, SC for a family beach vacation! Then Robin and I will come back on the 2nd or 3rd of June and pack up our house and move to West Asheville...and then summer is here somehow.
I have realized that this post has an inordinate amount of exclamation marks! I guess that is me trying to pass along the momentum life is carrying for me right now. At this moment, I sort of feel like I'm on top of a wave and have really no choice but to ride it into shore and hope it gets me all the way there. Exciting.
Well, that is all my fingers seem to want to type out right now. So ta-ta!
The garden manager is an excellent person to be working with, she is very knowledgeable and, for a lack of a better word, real. My first day working, one of the restaurant staff asked her if he would be able to pull a sucker off of a Dogwood tree in the garden and get it to grow at his house. Her response was, "First, don't call them suckers, it hurts their feelings! And yes, you can get a start off of the tree..." and proceeded to tell him how. She actually told me...or, more like gave me permission, to work slower yesterday. I have never had a job where I've been told to work less efficiently! She said something like, "When you're moving too fast, it stresses the plants out. They can feel your energy. You may think I'm crazy, but they can. Make sure you're grounded." I love it!!!
This month has been crazy, good, busy wonderful and full of constant changes and transitions. In all truth, my whole last year fits under this description, but this month is more than the normal. I think it may be something about the time of year, many of the people I know are having a busy-yet very fulfilling-month. It is incredible how much can happen in even one afternoon somedays. I am also doing a fair amount of reflecting on 1 year ago and how different my life looked then. It's crazy. I am so grateful for it all though!
My parents will be visiting in 10 days and Robin and I are greatly anticipating their visit. They will spend a few days here in Asheville with us, then the four of us are heading to Charleston, SC for a family beach vacation! Then Robin and I will come back on the 2nd or 3rd of June and pack up our house and move to West Asheville...and then summer is here somehow.
I have realized that this post has an inordinate amount of exclamation marks! I guess that is me trying to pass along the momentum life is carrying for me right now. At this moment, I sort of feel like I'm on top of a wave and have really no choice but to ride it into shore and hope it gets me all the way there. Exciting.
Well, that is all my fingers seem to want to type out right now. So ta-ta!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Buddy and Pickle: The Dynamic Duo
I have resisted creating a post dedicated primarily to the two felines that share our house, although I am not entirely sure why because they are a constant source of entertainment, love, and discussion for me and my sister. You may have to be a cat person to appreciate any of this, or you may have to know our cats personally, or you may decide this entire post is not worth your time. So be it.
Suspect #1: Buddy (aka the King of the Condominium Complex or Big Baby)
Without providing a long history and personality profile for Buddy (and trust me, I could-there is SO much personality in both cats, which is part of what makes them fun!), but, without doing so, let's just preface this with the explanation that Buddy is an extremely picky and particular cat who acts like a spoiled prince half the time (he will literally only eat one kind of cat food and currently refuses to use the litter box because he has to share with Pickle). The other half the time he is acting like a wild king of the jungle animal, prowling outside, moving stealthily and always looking oh-so cool.
I recently sold the bed and bedroom set that Noah and I had bought when we first moved out. The bed was a super soft, HUGE, king size bed that Buddy had claimed as his own. He would sprawl out across the whole thing like he owned it. I now have a double bed that is much smaller and not quite as soft. Buddy has decidedly boycotted it. He took one look at it, turned his kingly nose up and started sleeping in the chair in my sister's bedroom (instead of the couches) almost just to prove a point ("If that is what you are going to give me to sleep on, then I am disowning you as my den mother. Your sister is now who I answer to.") So, for the last week or so, my sister and I have swapped cats. Her cat, Pickle, has been sleeping in my room, while Buddy sleeps in hers.
However, a few days ago Robin emptied out her dresser and left for work, leaving the clothes piled on her chair and bed. Buddy came in from a night out ready to curl up and sleep. He sat with me for a few minutes on the couch, then hopped down and walked towards the bedrooms. He caught himself mid-stride heading towards my room, remembered what was awaiting him, and turned to the right towards Robin's room instead. A few minutes later he walked out of her room with a distressed "meee-ooouuuww" and looked up at me, then back at Robin's room, then at my door, then back at me and meowed again. At this point, I remembered that the chair was not available for him to sleep on and had a hard time not laughing at him, although he was in a very real and apparent state of distress. He even went so far as to walk up to the edge of my room, stare into it as if debating the importance of his boycott, then change his mind. He eventually ended up next to me on the couch. Robin's chair remained covered for a few days and last night he finally broke down and slept on my bed. I think he feels like he made his point.
Suspect #2: Pickle (aka Pretty, Pretty, Princess or Sexy Mama)
Pickle is a total sweetheart and is still growing into cathood. When she first moved in, she would only sleep on the floor in some tucked away corner, heaven forbid your lap! Nowadays though, she is queen of the lap sitting and will follow Robin around in the morning until she sits down for breakfast, then will dutifully hop up on Robin's lap with this look of pure pleasure on her face.
Pickle has this habit of opening doors by standing on her hind legs and pushing on the middle of the door--this works great going into rooms, but when she does it going out of rooms, it simply closes the door more. She has this game she plays with the door when trying to get out of a room though. After "opening" it and having it still be closed she'll coyly sit down next to the door, drop to the floor and start rolling around in this seductive "look at me" fashion; 50% of the time, as she's rolling around, her paws will sort of pull the bottom of the door towards her, thereby opening the door.
So now, 100% of the time, with any closed door that she wants opened (that doesn't easily push open) she puts on this show, hoping her cuteness will open the door for her. The best is when she does it at the pantry door where her food is kept (which is a sliding closet type door). Starting at 3:30 or 4 in the afternoon, she'll walk over and try her "trick" on the door every so often hoping that maybe THIS time it will work. It is absolutely adorable and sometimes, it does sort of work because, by being so darned cute, she'll get Robin or I to feed her a few minutes early.
Anyway, that's a little about our two cats who totally keep our life interesting. They are such a wonderful lesson in unconditional love (both giving and receiving) in part because they can drive us crazy as often as they make our hearts melt. Without them though, the house would feel empty!
Without providing a long history and personality profile for Buddy (and trust me, I could-there is SO much personality in both cats, which is part of what makes them fun!), but, without doing so, let's just preface this with the explanation that Buddy is an extremely picky and particular cat who acts like a spoiled prince half the time (he will literally only eat one kind of cat food and currently refuses to use the litter box because he has to share with Pickle). The other half the time he is acting like a wild king of the jungle animal, prowling outside, moving stealthily and always looking oh-so cool.
I recently sold the bed and bedroom set that Noah and I had bought when we first moved out. The bed was a super soft, HUGE, king size bed that Buddy had claimed as his own. He would sprawl out across the whole thing like he owned it. I now have a double bed that is much smaller and not quite as soft. Buddy has decidedly boycotted it. He took one look at it, turned his kingly nose up and started sleeping in the chair in my sister's bedroom (instead of the couches) almost just to prove a point ("If that is what you are going to give me to sleep on, then I am disowning you as my den mother. Your sister is now who I answer to.") So, for the last week or so, my sister and I have swapped cats. Her cat, Pickle, has been sleeping in my room, while Buddy sleeps in hers.
However, a few days ago Robin emptied out her dresser and left for work, leaving the clothes piled on her chair and bed. Buddy came in from a night out ready to curl up and sleep. He sat with me for a few minutes on the couch, then hopped down and walked towards the bedrooms. He caught himself mid-stride heading towards my room, remembered what was awaiting him, and turned to the right towards Robin's room instead. A few minutes later he walked out of her room with a distressed "meee-ooouuuww" and looked up at me, then back at Robin's room, then at my door, then back at me and meowed again. At this point, I remembered that the chair was not available for him to sleep on and had a hard time not laughing at him, although he was in a very real and apparent state of distress. He even went so far as to walk up to the edge of my room, stare into it as if debating the importance of his boycott, then change his mind. He eventually ended up next to me on the couch. Robin's chair remained covered for a few days and last night he finally broke down and slept on my bed. I think he feels like he made his point.
Pickle is a total sweetheart and is still growing into cathood. When she first moved in, she would only sleep on the floor in some tucked away corner, heaven forbid your lap! Nowadays though, she is queen of the lap sitting and will follow Robin around in the morning until she sits down for breakfast, then will dutifully hop up on Robin's lap with this look of pure pleasure on her face.
Pickle has this habit of opening doors by standing on her hind legs and pushing on the middle of the door--this works great going into rooms, but when she does it going out of rooms, it simply closes the door more. She has this game she plays with the door when trying to get out of a room though. After "opening" it and having it still be closed she'll coyly sit down next to the door, drop to the floor and start rolling around in this seductive "look at me" fashion; 50% of the time, as she's rolling around, her paws will sort of pull the bottom of the door towards her, thereby opening the door.
So now, 100% of the time, with any closed door that she wants opened (that doesn't easily push open) she puts on this show, hoping her cuteness will open the door for her. The best is when she does it at the pantry door where her food is kept (which is a sliding closet type door). Starting at 3:30 or 4 in the afternoon, she'll walk over and try her "trick" on the door every so often hoping that maybe THIS time it will work. It is absolutely adorable and sometimes, it does sort of work because, by being so darned cute, she'll get Robin or I to feed her a few minutes early.
Anyway, that's a little about our two cats who totally keep our life interesting. They are such a wonderful lesson in unconditional love (both giving and receiving) in part because they can drive us crazy as often as they make our hearts melt. Without them though, the house would feel empty!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Quintessential Asheville
I was in the DC area last week and returned to Asheville Saturday evening, welcomed by warm, sunny weather with the classic mountain breeze blowing through the trees. I checked the mail to find Robin's (acceptance) letter to Daoist Traditions, an acupuncture school located in the nearby Montford district in a big, beautiful old house right next to a park.
She called a few minutes later wondering if I was home yet. She'd spent the day over in West Asheville at an all-day, free outdoor concert featuring local bands, local beers, and local culture.
We decided to go out for dinner to celebrate her acceptance into acupuncture school and waited 5 minutes for an outdoor table at the Laughing Seed Cafe-a completely vegetarian restaurant boasting a wide variety of meal options. While dinning, a Hare Krishna group walked by beating a drum and singing Kirtan (yes, like you always see in the movies). A few minutes later a guy dressed in a nun's habit riding a 10+ foot tall bicycle came riding by, did a few circles while shouting something we couldn't quite understand outside of the restaurant and headed back down the street. May I note, none of this struck us as out of the ordinary.
After dinner, we decided to wander around downtown a bit, since the weather was beautiful and people where out and about on the street. We stopped and listened to a bluegrassy/washboard playing band on some random street corner for 5 or 10 minutes; all the members wearing plaid somewhere on their outfit, with beards and a backcountry look to them. (At one point, a small group walked by dressed in black and white, top hats, petticoat dresses and big black boots-it seemed so normal Robin and I only noticed them because of the stark contrast between them and the band!)
We sat for a few minutes in a little park downtown, people watching-our favorite sighting being a pregnant lesbian couple (only one of them) that came and sat on a bench away for a few minutes. To top the evening off, we drank some local Kombucha and homemade chocolate mousse while listening to (another) local Jazz duo at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge before strolling back to the car and coming home.
What an Asheville evening! Robin and I joke sometimes that it is nice to finally live somewhere that we feel like the "normal" ones every now and again. Although, truth is, we both love being surrounded by all the freedom of expression, personalities, and general avant garde energy and way of life that can be found in this area. Plus the weather is fantastic. Right now, we are willing the swimming pool gods to convince the association of our condominium complex to open the pool soon, because it is definitely nice enough for it!
She called a few minutes later wondering if I was home yet. She'd spent the day over in West Asheville at an all-day, free outdoor concert featuring local bands, local beers, and local culture.
We decided to go out for dinner to celebrate her acceptance into acupuncture school and waited 5 minutes for an outdoor table at the Laughing Seed Cafe-a completely vegetarian restaurant boasting a wide variety of meal options. While dinning, a Hare Krishna group walked by beating a drum and singing Kirtan (yes, like you always see in the movies). A few minutes later a guy dressed in a nun's habit riding a 10+ foot tall bicycle came riding by, did a few circles while shouting something we couldn't quite understand outside of the restaurant and headed back down the street. May I note, none of this struck us as out of the ordinary.
After dinner, we decided to wander around downtown a bit, since the weather was beautiful and people where out and about on the street. We stopped and listened to a bluegrassy/washboard playing band on some random street corner for 5 or 10 minutes; all the members wearing plaid somewhere on their outfit, with beards and a backcountry look to them. (At one point, a small group walked by dressed in black and white, top hats, petticoat dresses and big black boots-it seemed so normal Robin and I only noticed them because of the stark contrast between them and the band!)
We sat for a few minutes in a little park downtown, people watching-our favorite sighting being a pregnant lesbian couple (only one of them) that came and sat on a bench away for a few minutes. To top the evening off, we drank some local Kombucha and homemade chocolate mousse while listening to (another) local Jazz duo at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge before strolling back to the car and coming home.
What an Asheville evening! Robin and I joke sometimes that it is nice to finally live somewhere that we feel like the "normal" ones every now and again. Although, truth is, we both love being surrounded by all the freedom of expression, personalities, and general avant garde energy and way of life that can be found in this area. Plus the weather is fantastic. Right now, we are willing the swimming pool gods to convince the association of our condominium complex to open the pool soon, because it is definitely nice enough for it!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
A Return to the Wandering
It has, literally, been months since last writing a post. In this time I swear I have flown to the moon and back at least a few times-so much has been shifting, growing, leaving, changing, not changing, you know, the norm. I lived at Yogaville for the months of December, January, and February filling my days and my life with a large variety of activities that I need not go into here because, well, it would take awhile. Needless to say, the three months away were just what the doctor ordered and I returned to Asheville March 1st. Since then, I have been readjusting and regrouping once again. I have not been working which has really turned out to be a blessing in disguise, but did not feel like it for a few weeks last month. I also will refrain from a blow by blow account of my last 5-6 weeks home, needless to say it has not all been easy, but all of it has been worthwhile.
So, with that quick fill in, that brings us to now, this moment today when I, for some reason beyond my understanding, chose to sit down once again in front of my computer and log onto "Constant Wanderings" with the intention of writing a post. (I believe I also changed the settings again so you don't need a password to read this, people seemed to be having problems with it and it truly doesn't feel necessary to me any longer).
I am remembering when I first created this blog, nearly three years ago in Driggs as I was preparing to travel the world, for who knew, 1 year?, 2 years? as long as my money and my enthusiasm lasted. I was searching (as I always have, still am, and will likely always be!) for, I'm not sure what. But searching. How appropriate a name I chose for this blog. I am always constant in my wanderings. But aren't we all? Change is inevitable and wandering is often how I feel in transition.
Today, I am a different person than the girl who wrote the first entry. To begin with, I feel less like a girl and more of a woman, although I have always been a bit of both. I live on the opposite side of the country from where I grew up (and no, Teton Valley, I do not envy your double digit inches of recent snow fall. I slept with my window open last night, woke up to spring songbirds and am surrounded by the earth coming alive around me; but to each their own =)). In many ways I feel like I have been turned inside out and run through the washing machine multiple times over the last three years. I am hoping now that I have finally been hung out on the line to dry. To reorient. To try this new space on for size for (at least) a year or two.
This entry feels perhaps a bit vague, but I know of no other way to bring it all up to date. I do not even have the words to share with you the happenings of the last several months, partly because it would fill a book, and partly because I can find no words adequate enough to capture so much of my recent experiences. I know, me, at a loss for words. Incredible.
Perhaps the next truth is that I feel a bit vague these days; so that is what I can share. I feel a little devoid of form, still blurry around the edges looking at myself through a fog. Detached yet fully present and undoubtedly moving forward. I do not think that I am alone in this feeling. Or really alone ever. And that seems like a pretty solid place to start from. So, here's to the fog clearing not only for myself, but for everyone around the world! Good luck!
So, with that quick fill in, that brings us to now, this moment today when I, for some reason beyond my understanding, chose to sit down once again in front of my computer and log onto "Constant Wanderings" with the intention of writing a post. (I believe I also changed the settings again so you don't need a password to read this, people seemed to be having problems with it and it truly doesn't feel necessary to me any longer).
I am remembering when I first created this blog, nearly three years ago in Driggs as I was preparing to travel the world, for who knew, 1 year?, 2 years? as long as my money and my enthusiasm lasted. I was searching (as I always have, still am, and will likely always be!) for, I'm not sure what. But searching. How appropriate a name I chose for this blog. I am always constant in my wanderings. But aren't we all? Change is inevitable and wandering is often how I feel in transition.
Today, I am a different person than the girl who wrote the first entry. To begin with, I feel less like a girl and more of a woman, although I have always been a bit of both. I live on the opposite side of the country from where I grew up (and no, Teton Valley, I do not envy your double digit inches of recent snow fall. I slept with my window open last night, woke up to spring songbirds and am surrounded by the earth coming alive around me; but to each their own =)). In many ways I feel like I have been turned inside out and run through the washing machine multiple times over the last three years. I am hoping now that I have finally been hung out on the line to dry. To reorient. To try this new space on for size for (at least) a year or two.
This entry feels perhaps a bit vague, but I know of no other way to bring it all up to date. I do not even have the words to share with you the happenings of the last several months, partly because it would fill a book, and partly because I can find no words adequate enough to capture so much of my recent experiences. I know, me, at a loss for words. Incredible.
Perhaps the next truth is that I feel a bit vague these days; so that is what I can share. I feel a little devoid of form, still blurry around the edges looking at myself through a fog. Detached yet fully present and undoubtedly moving forward. I do not think that I am alone in this feeling. Or really alone ever. And that seems like a pretty solid place to start from. So, here's to the fog clearing not only for myself, but for everyone around the world! Good luck!
Friday, December 3, 2010
(More) Changes
So, three weeks ago I arrived back home from my stay at Yogaville which was much needed and transformational. So much so, in fact, that I am returning for a two month stay and will be leaving next week. I will be there through the holidays and Robin is planning on taking a week off and coming to stay during Christmas, which we are both looking forward to tremendously!
Robin's good friend from Whitman, Katie, has just moved out to Asheville (she found a job before moving, as did her boyfriend...does that really happen any more these days?!) and will be staying in my bedroom during my absence, which works out well for all three of us. I have given up my massage space and we found someone else to share the space with Suzanne for the last two months of the lease she and I signed; I think the two of them will likely re-sign. I have two more work shifts at Mela but after Sunday will officially be unemployed (although I think that job will be there for me if I want it back when I return, which is a nice peace of mind to have).
During my first absence, Robin struggled with dog ownership and, as much as Cashew is a wonderful dog, is in the process of trying to find him a new home. She (and we) have decided that we are just not unconditional dog love people, although I would say there are no regrets to adopting him and the hope/intention is to find him another home rather than taking him back to the humane society. There have been a few short leads, but nothing concrete as of yet.
Thanksgiving was a wonderful day off, Robin and I were here alone and just spent the day together. We made mashed sweet potatoes, steamed veggies and stuffing for our Thanksgiving meal. It was delicious! We topped the day off with homemade pumpkin pie--from scratch. It was the perfect holiday for the year.
Other than wrapping up loose ends and getting ready for this next phase of this crazy ride I call my life, I am still enjoying Asheville but am so ready for a new year! I think we are going to squeeze in putting up and decorating a Christmas tree Monday before I leave, which will be fun. I wish you all a happy holiday season!
Robin's good friend from Whitman, Katie, has just moved out to Asheville (she found a job before moving, as did her boyfriend...does that really happen any more these days?!) and will be staying in my bedroom during my absence, which works out well for all three of us. I have given up my massage space and we found someone else to share the space with Suzanne for the last two months of the lease she and I signed; I think the two of them will likely re-sign. I have two more work shifts at Mela but after Sunday will officially be unemployed (although I think that job will be there for me if I want it back when I return, which is a nice peace of mind to have).
During my first absence, Robin struggled with dog ownership and, as much as Cashew is a wonderful dog, is in the process of trying to find him a new home. She (and we) have decided that we are just not unconditional dog love people, although I would say there are no regrets to adopting him and the hope/intention is to find him another home rather than taking him back to the humane society. There have been a few short leads, but nothing concrete as of yet.
Thanksgiving was a wonderful day off, Robin and I were here alone and just spent the day together. We made mashed sweet potatoes, steamed veggies and stuffing for our Thanksgiving meal. It was delicious! We topped the day off with homemade pumpkin pie--from scratch. It was the perfect holiday for the year.
Other than wrapping up loose ends and getting ready for this next phase of this crazy ride I call my life, I am still enjoying Asheville but am so ready for a new year! I think we are going to squeeze in putting up and decorating a Christmas tree Monday before I leave, which will be fun. I wish you all a happy holiday season!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Cash(ew) and Yogaville
The last few weeks have been quite all over the place. To begin with, we have a new member of the household-Cashew (Cash for short). He is a four year old spaniel terrier mutt that we picked up from the humane society on columbus day. (I saw we picked him, but, really, he picked us. And although he picked us, he is Robin's dog). He is such a sweetheart and has just slipped into our life quite easily. He reminds us a lot of Peppy-the dog we grew up with. He is quite low-key and could care less about the cats. Which is great. His biggest fault is that he is a nervous pooper and can't seem to poop while on a walk which means he's taken up to going on the back porch whenever we put him out there...but it is easy to clean up and is at least outside. We are working on remedying the situation. Besides that, he is a total lover. I will hopefully get to loading a few pictures up to the blog after writing this post.
Besides the dog, it has been a wonderfully warm (and dry) fall. The leaves are putting on a show, although not as crazy a show as other years (so we hear). Work has been crazy busy again--even more so than in the middle of July, which has been good, but sort of exhausting. Robin and I have managed to get out some despite all the work. The dog has helped us get out and head to the park for a walk a couple of times and we have wondered why it took us so long to get there on our own. One afternoon we went up to Craggie peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a short walk and some panoramic views. It was crazy windy but beautiful and invigorating. That evening we went at watched Eat Pray Love at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing (Brew and View) which was a wonderful experience. Movies are $3, pizza and beer and other food is available if you so desire, but is not mandatory. It reminded us a little of an indoor drive in experience.
Besides the dog, perhaps the biggest news is that I have decided to take the next three weeks off and return to Yogaville in central Virginia for a personal retreat and catch up. I have been feeling so drained and exhausted by everything the last few weeks and I can't think of anything else that I really want. It just so happened to work out that we have a temporary fill-in at the restaurant through November and that nothing in my life was too scheduled up, so I was free to go. I leave tomorrow morning and am greatly looking forward to my time there. It will be a good experience in so many ways to return and I am curious to see where I find myself at the end of the three weeks.
With that, I need to keep moving on and finish packing but will try to get a few pictures up first!
Besides the dog, it has been a wonderfully warm (and dry) fall. The leaves are putting on a show, although not as crazy a show as other years (so we hear). Work has been crazy busy again--even more so than in the middle of July, which has been good, but sort of exhausting. Robin and I have managed to get out some despite all the work. The dog has helped us get out and head to the park for a walk a couple of times and we have wondered why it took us so long to get there on our own. One afternoon we went up to Craggie peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a short walk and some panoramic views. It was crazy windy but beautiful and invigorating. That evening we went at watched Eat Pray Love at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing (Brew and View) which was a wonderful experience. Movies are $3, pizza and beer and other food is available if you so desire, but is not mandatory. It reminded us a little of an indoor drive in experience.
Besides the dog, perhaps the biggest news is that I have decided to take the next three weeks off and return to Yogaville in central Virginia for a personal retreat and catch up. I have been feeling so drained and exhausted by everything the last few weeks and I can't think of anything else that I really want. It just so happened to work out that we have a temporary fill-in at the restaurant through November and that nothing in my life was too scheduled up, so I was free to go. I leave tomorrow morning and am greatly looking forward to my time there. It will be a good experience in so many ways to return and I am curious to see where I find myself at the end of the three weeks.
With that, I need to keep moving on and finish packing but will try to get a few pictures up first!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
The Beach
Last weekend Robin and I headed southeast to Charleston, SC for a late-season beach trip. It was fabulous! We didn't actually go swimming due to some windy conditions and slightly cooler temps, but sure did enjoy beach lounging! The trip was brief, we got there Sunday evening and left early Tuesday morning, but managed to feel like we were on vacation. We stayed at a hostel near downtown and walked down through the main drag to the water Monday morning. That afternoon we drove out to Foley beach and stopped at a Goodwill on the way back and shopped our second hand hearts out. We had dinner at this restaurant on the water called Fleet's Landing (on recommend of a friend from work) and enjoyed ourselves immensely.
It was also neat to drive out of the mountains on our way down and definitely be able to tell that we were driving back into them on the way home. Although different from the mountains at home, it is nice to come home to mountains. (Although, I will say that I for one quite enjoyed the flat, bike friendly terrain of Charleston. Sometimes all the little hills here in Asheville are exhausting!).
Back here in Asheville, I am enjoying one of the most beautiful fall seasons in my memory. The leaves are still not all turned (there are so many!) and peak leaf week won't be here until the end of October, but the weather is cool and crisp in the evenings and mornings and is warming up to the 70s during the day. The air has cleared up compared to the summer and the weather just makes me want to be outside when at all possible.
The restaurant is treating both Robin and I well, although I do have moments where I tire of the job. All in all though, I like the people I work with and continue to make good money there, which is a security I am grateful for immensely! And, speaking of work...it is time for me to go get ready for my Saturday night shift.
It was also neat to drive out of the mountains on our way down and definitely be able to tell that we were driving back into them on the way home. Although different from the mountains at home, it is nice to come home to mountains. (Although, I will say that I for one quite enjoyed the flat, bike friendly terrain of Charleston. Sometimes all the little hills here in Asheville are exhausting!).
Back here in Asheville, I am enjoying one of the most beautiful fall seasons in my memory. The leaves are still not all turned (there are so many!) and peak leaf week won't be here until the end of October, but the weather is cool and crisp in the evenings and mornings and is warming up to the 70s during the day. The air has cleared up compared to the summer and the weather just makes me want to be outside when at all possible.
The restaurant is treating both Robin and I well, although I do have moments where I tire of the job. All in all though, I like the people I work with and continue to make good money there, which is a security I am grateful for immensely! And, speaking of work...it is time for me to go get ready for my Saturday night shift.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Lomi Lomi into fall
Well, it is official. They have closed the pool at the condo complex. Summer must be over. The weather actually shifted (quite appropriately I must add) the day or so right after the equinox and it is decidedly fall. It's beautiful. Leaves are still mostly green, but starting to go. I have read that the show this year will be less impressive than other years though because of the unusually warm weather that we had through September. I'm sure it will still be beautiful.
Last weekend I took my first continuing education course for massage out at the Center for Massage where I went to school. The course was Lomi Lomi massage which is a traditional Hawaiian massage modality with a strong emphasis on the flowing, poetic nature a massage can have. It treats massage as a dance and is much less finger/wrist/hand intensive than other modalities (but can still work quite deeply and powerfully). It was a wonderful course to take and was nice (but a bit surreal) to hop back into the student role for a few days. It feels like both yesterday and light years ago that I was driving out to the Center three days a week and attending class and it was interesting for me to reflect on how much has changed since then, but how fluid the whole experience feels. Everything in tiny increments it seems.
Tuesday night of this week, Suzanne and I (who I share my massage space with and went to school with) had the opportunity to work a chair massage event in town. We were hired for two hours to do chair massage at a restaurant's staff appreciation party. It was really fun. I haven't done chair massage since we were in school but it is such a different way to share the power of touch. I am so grateful that the opportunity sort of just fell into our laps!
All else continues to hum along as always. Robin and I will be taking a quick get-away this Sunday/Monday to go to the beach in Charleston, SC for a couple of nights. We are both excited. It will be the first time I have driven very south or east of Asheville since arriving so will be a new adventure, plus, we're going to the beach in October. How great is that?!
Last weekend I took my first continuing education course for massage out at the Center for Massage where I went to school. The course was Lomi Lomi massage which is a traditional Hawaiian massage modality with a strong emphasis on the flowing, poetic nature a massage can have. It treats massage as a dance and is much less finger/wrist/hand intensive than other modalities (but can still work quite deeply and powerfully). It was a wonderful course to take and was nice (but a bit surreal) to hop back into the student role for a few days. It feels like both yesterday and light years ago that I was driving out to the Center three days a week and attending class and it was interesting for me to reflect on how much has changed since then, but how fluid the whole experience feels. Everything in tiny increments it seems.
Tuesday night of this week, Suzanne and I (who I share my massage space with and went to school with) had the opportunity to work a chair massage event in town. We were hired for two hours to do chair massage at a restaurant's staff appreciation party. It was really fun. I haven't done chair massage since we were in school but it is such a different way to share the power of touch. I am so grateful that the opportunity sort of just fell into our laps!
All else continues to hum along as always. Robin and I will be taking a quick get-away this Sunday/Monday to go to the beach in Charleston, SC for a couple of nights. We are both excited. It will be the first time I have driven very south or east of Asheville since arriving so will be a new adventure, plus, we're going to the beach in October. How great is that?!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Changes
Well, a lot has been going here over the last several months of not writing. However, it feels like the time for me to pick up the fallen pieces and start posting again. The summer has been highlighted by changes of all sorts.
To begin with, the past several months have been very challenging for Noah and I and we are currently separated. He moved out the first part of August but is still here in Asheville. In short, we still love and care about one another deeply but are taking some time and space to gain perspective on our marriage and the ways that we both, as individuals, fit into it.
A second major change is that my sister has moved out to Asheville and has taken up residence as my new roommate! She has been here since the first of September and it is impossible to explain with words how wonderful it is to have here. I flew home the end of August for a four day visit and then she and I drove out here to together in an uneventful (yet somehow epic) journey through the heartland. She also brought her cat, Pickle, with her and we have already spent much time laughing at the uniquely cat-ish antics of Buddy and Pickle as the learn how to share the house.
I'm not sure if this counts as a change, but it feels like one: So, summer is over--fall officially starts on Thursday I believe--but...it's not winter yet! Rather, we are on the verge of "leaf season" here which officially counts as a second tourist season. There is a leaf watching hotline, websites with fall foliage updates, vacation packages and more. I am SO excited on a variety of fronts for October's leaf season these days.
Many of the other changes I have briefly mentioned in other short blog posts before this one. But a short re-cap: I now live within the Asheville city limits in a great condo complex with a view and a swimming pool and quick and easy access to the interstate i.e. it is 10-15 minutes only to get most anywhere in Asheville. Obviously, I have opened up a private massage practice which is going well, albeit it slowly (primarily because I have been working so much elsewhere). I am on the verge of taking my North Carolina driver's test and switching my plates to North Carolina which will be the first time in the history of my life that my car will not have Idaho plates. (My mother firmly told me recently that I am NO LONGER allowed to vote in Teton County because I have "picked up and moved to North Carolina" (or something like that). Changing voting registration is also a new sign of permanence.)
All in all, things are going well. Some days life seems to be bordering on the chaotic and has been consistently ever-changing and unpredictable. However, patience has been a lesson of the summer and I would say I am growing more capable of dealing with and living life in the grey areas where everything isn't always black and white. I do hope there is some sort of slow-down to the pace of life in the relatively near future, but assume I will keep moving full speed ahead regardless.
To begin with, the past several months have been very challenging for Noah and I and we are currently separated. He moved out the first part of August but is still here in Asheville. In short, we still love and care about one another deeply but are taking some time and space to gain perspective on our marriage and the ways that we both, as individuals, fit into it.
A second major change is that my sister has moved out to Asheville and has taken up residence as my new roommate! She has been here since the first of September and it is impossible to explain with words how wonderful it is to have here. I flew home the end of August for a four day visit and then she and I drove out here to together in an uneventful (yet somehow epic) journey through the heartland. She also brought her cat, Pickle, with her and we have already spent much time laughing at the uniquely cat-ish antics of Buddy and Pickle as the learn how to share the house.
I'm not sure if this counts as a change, but it feels like one: So, summer is over--fall officially starts on Thursday I believe--but...it's not winter yet! Rather, we are on the verge of "leaf season" here which officially counts as a second tourist season. There is a leaf watching hotline, websites with fall foliage updates, vacation packages and more. I am SO excited on a variety of fronts for October's leaf season these days.
Many of the other changes I have briefly mentioned in other short blog posts before this one. But a short re-cap: I now live within the Asheville city limits in a great condo complex with a view and a swimming pool and quick and easy access to the interstate i.e. it is 10-15 minutes only to get most anywhere in Asheville. Obviously, I have opened up a private massage practice which is going well, albeit it slowly (primarily because I have been working so much elsewhere). I am on the verge of taking my North Carolina driver's test and switching my plates to North Carolina which will be the first time in the history of my life that my car will not have Idaho plates. (My mother firmly told me recently that I am NO LONGER allowed to vote in Teton County because I have "picked up and moved to North Carolina" (or something like that). Changing voting registration is also a new sign of permanence.)
All in all, things are going well. Some days life seems to be bordering on the chaotic and has been consistently ever-changing and unpredictable. However, patience has been a lesson of the summer and I would say I am growing more capable of dealing with and living life in the grey areas where everything isn't always black and white. I do hope there is some sort of slow-down to the pace of life in the relatively near future, but assume I will keep moving full speed ahead regardless.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
To everyone who reads this blog
As my name is entering the public sphere as a massage therapist, I am working on ways to keep my private life separate from my public identity. I don't really want clients to be able to look my name up and find this blog (which is a fairly detailed accounting of my personal life for friends and family etc), read it and then end up knowing a lot about me that I have not personally chosen to share with them.
So...what that means is that I am going to be making this blog a "private" blog that will require those of you who read it to log in before being able to see everything. I create the list of authorized users, so I need you to let me know if you want to be added! Will you please either post a comment to this post with your info or send me an e-mail at marthakmart@gmail.com so I can get it plugged in correctly?
So...what that means is that I am going to be making this blog a "private" blog that will require those of you who read it to log in before being able to see everything. I create the list of authorized users, so I need you to let me know if you want to be added! Will you please either post a comment to this post with your info or send me an e-mail at marthakmart@gmail.com so I can get it plugged in correctly?
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Making it Official!
Starting August 1st I will be working as a massage therapist in my own office space! A friend of mine from school, Suzanne, and I are renting a space in West Asheville together. The room is located on the second floor of an old house that has a community acupuncture clinic on the lower level. We are both very excited about it. I am in the process of business cards and a website and all of the logistics, which is a little overwhelming, but overall, the whole thing has sort of just fallen into place.
I am working five nights a week at Mela, serving most nights and am doing a couple days a week at the Cosmic Groove Massage. I will continue serving for awhile and will keep my shifts for at least another month or so at the Cosmic Groove, but am actually on the path to realizing the goal/reality of being a therapist!
I am working five nights a week at Mela, serving most nights and am doing a couple days a week at the Cosmic Groove Massage. I will continue serving for awhile and will keep my shifts for at least another month or so at the Cosmic Groove, but am actually on the path to realizing the goal/reality of being a therapist!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Now An Officially Licensed Therapist!
I just checked online this morning for the umpteenth time and low and behold I am listed as a licensed therapist number 10157!!! I'm so thrilled I'm not sure what to do with myself at this moment but am now able to start doing what I set out to do 7 months ago!!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
My New Home
It is wonderful being in Asheville. I love the place we have moved into. It is very central, but manages to feel a bit like we are still in the woods. We have an incredible view, which is hard to get around here, and, although you can hear the interstate when outside, you can see very few signs of the city around the corner from anywhere in the development.
I am enjoying the lightening bugs in the evenings that are all over the place, the swimming pool (which is busier than I thought it would be), the location, and even the air conditioning because it has been hotter than usual the last week or so. Our condo overlooks the swimming pool, so sitting out on the porch I can watch my own personal little soap opera as residents come and go. One of my favorite things to witness from the porch is the black cat from a few condos over taking his owner and dog friend for a walk just after 6 am every morning. It never ceases to bring a smile to my face when I see the dog and the owner out for the morning walk with the cat walking right along with them...
I still do not have my license yet and am playing the wait, wait, and wait some more game. I have started working at an Indian restaurant downtown called Mela Indian Restaurant as a host, food expo and soon to be night server. Additionally, I have started picking up desk hours at a local community based non-profit massage center called the Cosmic Groove Massage and will hopefully be able to work a few massage shifts there once I get my license.
Asheville is starting to feel more and more like home, especially since we are now living within the city limits. It surprises me sometime when I realize that, for the first time in perhaps my life, I am in a place that I don't want to leave and where I actually enjoy being nearly all of the time. I am comfortable putting down some sort of permanent roots here and staying. This is a new and wonderful feeling. The only thing I would change is how far away from home Asheville is...but, no place is perfect and, for now, I am more than happy to be here.
I am enjoying the lightening bugs in the evenings that are all over the place, the swimming pool (which is busier than I thought it would be), the location, and even the air conditioning because it has been hotter than usual the last week or so. Our condo overlooks the swimming pool, so sitting out on the porch I can watch my own personal little soap opera as residents come and go. One of my favorite things to witness from the porch is the black cat from a few condos over taking his owner and dog friend for a walk just after 6 am every morning. It never ceases to bring a smile to my face when I see the dog and the owner out for the morning walk with the cat walking right along with them...
I still do not have my license yet and am playing the wait, wait, and wait some more game. I have started working at an Indian restaurant downtown called Mela Indian Restaurant as a host, food expo and soon to be night server. Additionally, I have started picking up desk hours at a local community based non-profit massage center called the Cosmic Groove Massage and will hopefully be able to work a few massage shifts there once I get my license.
Asheville is starting to feel more and more like home, especially since we are now living within the city limits. It surprises me sometime when I realize that, for the first time in perhaps my life, I am in a place that I don't want to leave and where I actually enjoy being nearly all of the time. I am comfortable putting down some sort of permanent roots here and staying. This is a new and wonderful feeling. The only thing I would change is how far away from home Asheville is...but, no place is perfect and, for now, I am more than happy to be here.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Quicky
So, May has flown by. I am taking my Nationals this afternoon at 12:15 (I'll know if I passed right afterwords). I have my last class at school tomorrow and take my school test Wednesday morning with graduation Wednesday afternoon. To top it all off, I don't believe I've mentioned yet that we are moving on Saturday to a location closer to Asheville (yeah, moving on my birthday-yay...). We found someone to cover the rest of our lease here and found a condo to rent in town that will work great for us. (Big plus, there is a tennis court and swimming pool at the complex which is at the end of dead end road. The balcony even has a view and all you can see is trees, we lucked out). Anyway, just a quick update there so that I don't stop updating all together....
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