Prezi = Love

I happened upon a new presentation software that is amazing! Prezi - check out their website.  It is actually unbelievably easy to use and will take any relatively cool presentation to impressive and memorable.

If only I had a presentation to give...

yoga quote

Yoga always ends with a quote. Last night's quote was...

"What you're thinking is what you're becoming."
- Muhammad Ali

I believe in the reciprocal energies of this world and I believe in the power of thought.

and I love yoga.

Picnic Bliss

Spring is finally here! The winters are so long and hard, the spring is just so incredibly rewarding - liberating - joyous.  New Yorkers go crazy for it - the parks are packed with families, lovers, and friends just enjoying life in such a simple way - my favorite way.   The sun - flowers - air - smiles - its just a happier place.  

Pictures from a lovely Sunday afternoon - some fun in the sun in Central Park.

Some of our many picnic supplies

 Brit and Biz playing volleyball

 Lucy and her amazing dog, Penny

 Dave and Jen

 Brit and Alison - volleyball stars

Penny styling the latest fashions

Spring makes the world a happier place.

take a step back, breathe and smile

In college, when I decided to change my major, I felt like I had a mid-life crisis. This week felt eerily similar.

Last week, I had no idea what my future would really be... I had no details, no substantial plan, no specifics - I just knew that I was excited and it was going to work out - it was going to be great. For a variety of reasons, I lost all of that carefree, hopeful positivity this past week.

Then came the freak out. I was thinking about what I want in my near future: a steady job/career, a home/house, a family (husband, kids, dog - the whole shebang), and a close network of friends.

Freak out:

Steady job/Career - I'm quitting my job. I feel under-qualified for an adequate job in the field that I want. I feel utterly lost in attempting to job search. I will probably go to grad school, but can't next year so I'm in this odd temporary situation.

A home/house - You need money for this... and did I mention I'm quitting my job? and potentially/probably going to grad school? Now I'm not saying that I want to own a home right now - renting is very appropriate for me at this point in life - but the prospect of being 27 and in debt... doesn't help the prospect of owning a home.

A family - I've had one legitimate relationship. Ever. I feel very far away from this. Although I could get a dog in the near future, I suppose. Honestly, though - I'm fine with putting this off as long as I have a close network of friends.

A close network of friends - Just as I'm really developing that here, I'm leaving it. I also fear that I will never have a group of friends like I did in college. I just don't want to be lonely.

and take a deep breath in... and out.

I feel a lot better about all this now that I'm home. It's more like a "one step at a time" sort of thing. I guess that frequently follows a break down of sorts. Its like opening a new puzzle (I love puzzles) and at first, it looks daunting. But then you start with the edges, and it becomes doable. Does that make sense?

It also helps to focus on the present and the past - there has been and continues to be a lot of great things in life. I have no legitimate reason to doubt that my future will pan out in similar fashion.

In such uncertainty, it's nice to be able to say I know it'll work out and I'll continue to be happy.

The plan:

- enjoy life :)

- figure out the future... one step at a time

"Sometimes the best things come out of nowhere" - Megan

favorites...

I already told you I'm becoming like Kirsten. I just found my favorite coffee shop in Brooklyn, thanks to my friend Emily. We met up to work on some grad work together, and lo and behold...

The Tea Lounge

It has it all:

- Tons of couches and chill seating

- Great food/drinks/etc - coffee/tea/wine/snack/meal - they've got it all!

- Lots of plugs for your computers

- Music (live and otherwise)

- Overall fun, chill feel

I love it - perfect for work, meet ups, or reading!

This is also very representative of how I'm currently feeling about my time in NYC. My first year could be easily summed up in one word: transition. I was transitioning into adult-hood, into the north-east, into teaching, into a new life, etc. I felt like the whole year I was dangling just above the ground just begging my feet to land solidly. Then, the beginning of the second year was full of so much unhappiness at work that it bled into my life in general. It was like my feet had finally landed, but they accidentally stepped on a nail. And now - finally - I feel like I am truly starting my life in NYC - truly feeling at home - truly feeling comfortable. And yet, in 19 weeks or less I'm 95% sure I'll be leaving. Part of me feels like I'm cutting it short. Part of me feels happy to have found this feeling and to enjoy it for the next few weeks. Part of me is glad to be leaving before I really establish this life and become attached... because then it only gets harder to leave. All that considered, at least I know I'll have a great time going out strong.