Blogger Diary: Life Moves On

“Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.”

– Henry Miller

Every once in a while you come across a quote at the exact perfect moment…when truer words could not be spoken, almost as if someone knew you needed to hear these words and and an invisible force held them up  in front of your eyes. I am taking these words and holding them close throughout this year. I don’t like to make new year’s resolutions, more “life resolutions,” but like I mentioned in the previous post, I did make a list of things that I’d really like to do before the year is over.  I have a feeling I’ll be able to accomplish them all :)

I want to work on my photography, and learn how to cook – I’m not talking fancy cooking, I’d just like to be able to make something! I want to spend more time at my beach house this year, and I want to visit San Francisco at some point and see my friends there. I used to be one of those people who went to yoga almost every single day – religiously. Ever since breaking my ankle, I don’t go nearly as often, and I still don’t feel comfortable taking the advanced classes I used to, but I think I can get back to it this year. I also ran track through my entire youth and want to start running again, if my ankle and bad knees let me. Lastly… I’m pretty sure I’m getting my next tattoo this year ;)

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new-year

new-year

new-year

new-year

new-year

new-year

I’d love to hear your goals and resolutions for 2012!

Photos by Julia.

Before I Die…

I came across this street art installation by Candy Chang on stumble upon yesterday as I was waking up on the second day of the new year, lying in bed and looking for inspiration on my ipad. The timing couldn’t have been better – it’s a new year and my mind has been working overdrive setting resolutions and a “to do” list for the year ahead. This definitely got me thinking even longer term, about all the things I still want to do. There are a lot. But I thought it might be good to do this exercise on my own, and start with a smaller list of maybe 5 or so things that I want to do before this year ends – try it out, it might help you too :) I plan on hanging my list in my apartment and coming back at the end of the year to see what I’ve accomplished.

“Before I die” was started by artist Candy Chang in New Orleans – with the help of her friends and neighbors, she turned the side of an abandoned house into a giant chalkboard that residents could write on and share their dreams for the future. I think it’s such a beautiful way to transform a public space into something that is a reflection of the community and what really matters to them.

The project has since expanded to other cities including Brooklyn, Amsterdam, Lisbon, San Diego and more.

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before-i-die-writings

Before-I-Die-10-responses

Before-I-Die-13-responses

Before-I-Die-writing-two-girls

Before-I-Die-Brooklyn-responses-2

Before-I-die-14-house

Before-I-Die-Wendell-Pierce

What’s on your bucket list?

Source.

Kitchen Confidential: Double Creamed Tart

This time in Kitchen Confidential, we bring you Craig – a master chef working in our 543 cafeteria who came to us from Michelin star restaurant, Spruce, in San Francisco. Craig has some awesome culinary training strapped under his belt, and has traveled far and wide to places including Japan to perfect his craft. Read More