The Plan for Winter

photo from: Penebscott Bay Real Estate

I have a long way to go. (#4)

I just visited April Atwater's blog where I was asked what my Top 10 activities of winter were. The first, I'm sure, you'll have no problem guessing. The rest took a moment as I thought back over my winters here in Utah. This is the list I came up with:

1. Skiing- of course. This is pretty much all I think about year round.

2. Full moon snowshoe hike- I was invited to do this on a first date with a guy who turned out to be pretty fantastic. However, things progress and ultimately the magic of this activity stuck around long after he did. ;) What increased the enjoyment of the winter night: At the end of the trail he built some snow benches for us to sit on then whipped out a thermos full of hot chai. While I sipped the spicy brew, he recited some Pablo Neruda poetry under the midnight mountain sky. It was .... amazing.

3. Sledding with "grownup" kids- namely: your best friends

4. Build the tallest snowman you can - borrow your friends' shoulders to complete the task.

5. Write giant messages in a snowfield for someone you love, then either take them up there or send a photo if they're far away.

6. Take photos of the "feelings" of winter- stillness, serenity, loneliness, etc. Try to find the beauty in the more monotone landscapes- gives appreciation for winter & the other seasons, too

7. Have a campfire in the snow - get all your friends together for what's usually a summer activity. It's fun to be bundled up, roasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate.

8. Get ready for Christmas- caroling, making handmade gifts, enjoying the winter festivities that cities put on during the season.

9. Getting cozy with a loved one - head to a cabin with a fireplace and cuddle up on a big comfy couch with a book or some old photos.

10. Watch the snow fall- there's nothing that calms me more than watching big, fat flakes falling all around me. It's serene, beautiful and... gets me excited for #1. ;)

What's in your Top 10?

Choices

The following was written to me; it's shared with you in hopes it might be of use out there...

You are traveling a road that has quite a distance although you've been on it for a little while. You may come to a point where you will have a fork in that road. Your choices are not easy. You have the dream of travel and building your career. You have the dream of having a home, a family. They are both wonderful ideals and possibly can be interlinked, but at a cost to you of not being able to keep both feet planted on that road and having the space between roads grow ever wider. Look at the long-term goals for yourself.

Until the time you must make a decision, work on each part of your life as much as you can - involving yourself with professionals in the fields you are exposed so they know the value you offer, and balancing your life so you can breathe. That means taking care of yourself. Remember to be selfish enough to take time to draw, write, play, cook, make your creative things, spend time alone to know yourself. Don't be afraid to be alone. Enjoy it.

Remember that often opportunities in life often only surface once, for one chance. A decision must be made at that time... right or wrong, that is what we often have to settle with. I knew when I turned 45, it would be a momentous time in my life - I didn't know why, but since my youth I knew it. It was at 45 that I was able to fulfill my dream of going to law school. I did it. I blew it. I will never have that chance again. Maybe I could have done it earlier in my life, I don't know. The opportunity didn't present itself and I made a solid choice to have children and a family - I have no regrets absolutely about that decision then. I do have regrets that I changed the course of my decision in 2002... there were no roads back - no opportunities left. 

 photo by Nate Bagley

Keep your mind open so that if you have the opportunity to develop in the career path, you take it. If you have an opportunity to settle down and it's right, you do it. Just be open to what could be and remember to branch yourself out right now to allow something to happen. You have all roads open to you - no blockages right now. Breathe. Take care of you now. Don't get caught up in any path until you have been offered the opportunity. It could stifle your mind so you lose sight of what is actually being presented to you. 

I want you to remember: you are now going forward. You have a clean slate. You have a chance to make life what you want. Do not wait for anyone. If they want you, if a career wants you, they will make their offers to you for you to decide what you want. Meanwhile, you will be charting your own course, moving towards your own goals.

 photo by Nate Bagley

I hope this makes sense to you. I love you. You are always in my best wishes.

photo by Nate Bagley

Political Scott

This is how my friend, Scott, handles his outrage against environmental atrocities.



Happy little oil rig.

Visit Scott's blog (http://www.severalsuchbuildings.com) for more insight on... pretty much everything.

Twitter background, uninterrupted.



P.S. A little favor, if you will: I'd like to see how the twitter page looks on different monitor sizes, because I'm considering adding a sidebar with contact info. If it's not a bother, click the Twitter link, grab a screenshot (instructions below) and email it to ginabegin (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks! 


-How to take a screen shot in Windows or in Mac

Passion

Can't watch this without feeling the need to develop myself further, take life on with both legs running (or strapped to some fins)...


DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

G:na: "Food activist

lover of white precipitation & K2 skis

owner of mad kitchen skills

runs organic, fair-trade bakery.

"

Click on the link (G:na). I like this idea. You should make one and then tell comment your page's address below...

Do it... now.

http://flavors.me