today

1. Today I got my nails done with an old friend, it was nice catching up and really nice getting my feet and hands pampered.

She's getting married this summer too, and we both have Polish moms - it was nice comparing notes. She's much more laid back than I am about things though.

2. I think I'm getting better at words with friends.

3. Got back to reading - but now I'm reading 4 books at once? I think I have a problem... (that doesn't include the audiobook).

4. I've been really enjoying the warmer weather, and taking advantage of the workout room in my building.

4a. I'm teaching myself to run. I do this three times a week.

5. Went to the Chicago Creative Expo where I learned I have access to broadcasting my animation work. And any interviews I've done. This has sparked my imagination, may be able to contrive something to submit. If I make 10 episodes, they'll run them every week at the same time. Also acquired a poetry magazine....I miss writing bad poetry.

6. I've been trying to work into a habit of doing things. My piano teacher told me something that stuck with me - a habit is like adding a cord to a rope, the more you add, the harder to break. So the idea is to get into good habits that are harder to break.

7. I have been getting better at drawing every day for myself.

8. I'm almost ready to make my wedding invitations. The big day is getting closer and closer. I'm super excited and I'll be happily looking forward to the honeymoon - in Costa Rica.

9. I feel like I'm exercising my mind enough, daily. Though it's still pretty active at night which leads to a bit of restlessness.

10. I believe I've done a good job of posting less on Facebook.

art drought

Urge to draw growing. Unpacking is in the way.

Wedding planning begun.

Need to finish getting furniture so I can set up my studio area...

bridesmaids dresses test

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

balance

Been trying to balance the days. Things are moving and changing.

workouts and cooking and scuba

I've been on a diet for a week, first time EVER thanks to p90x. It's not so bad, like the hardest workout for me is the yoga, but the hardest thing for me is cooking food that fits my tastes. Today I made a creamy pepper soup, beet soup, and poached some chicken for tomorrow. Tonight's dinner though I'm excited about. It's ground turkey with chopped mushrooms and shallots, and that's going on a sadly small portion of noodles, with a small scoop of cheese mixed in. The biggest thing I miss is FRUIT. I only get one serving. I was never a big veggie person, but now I'm eating 4 of those a day. That's hard to do! anywho.

I had the in-pool version of my scuba certification. I have to learn to breath deeper, I had a hard time on the buoyancy portion of the test because I couldn't take in a deep enough breath to lift myself up in the water. Then I did it but after 10 minutes of concentrating on breathing in and out at an even pace. I've never thought about how I breathe, except when singing. Apparently I'm a shallow breather when I'm not thinking. Or I hold my breath which is a scuba no-no.

I'll get it down before my open water!

scarf

Finished my first crocheted wool scarf today. It took a while to make, I'm assuming because it's my first and because I apparently did a rib stitch. Not sure what I'll make next.

Kinda feeling lonely tonight. Funny how even tho I have roommates I'm feeling alone. We have some stuff in common, but there's some kind of communication disconnect between us. Or maybe the loneliness, maybe it has to do with being by myself all day at work, having little contact with the outside world except through the internet or running errands, trading off mundane comments between the other building tenants or the clerk at the takeout counter. I feel so disconnected with people today - like watching them being alive vs. being a part of the crowd and part of life. I also feel like whatever I've done today isn't productive in any way. I'm missing the 'fulfilling' part of life. That's why I did the scarf, so I would feel I did something productive. The thing about creating is that it's also futile. The creation of something instantly makes it dated. By finishing it, the creation begins its life and is in danger of wear/loss/being thrown away. I think I've struggled with this for a while - what becomes of all the stuff I create? It's important to me but even if I spend hours making it - someday there will be an end to it. And what if nobody likes it?

Quote I came across today

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

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