5:29 a.m.
For the past three years I’ve had trouble sleeping through an entire night. I’m not yet sure what the root source of this problem is, but I’m usually left in a state of frustration and exhaustion. However, when I awoke during the 3 o’clock hour this morning it brought the most amazing blessing. I was greeted by an intense sense of awareness and a chance to practice what I’ve learned through yoga- the experience of living in the present moment.
The Oxford English Dictionary recently revealed that the most commonly used noun in the English language is “time,” a commodity I have generally become accustomed to wasting. I attempt to make a conscious effort to contradict this inclination. When I’m battling with a bout of insomnia I delve into the book I’m currently reading or I engage in a project that has spent way too many days on my to-do list until sleep beckons.
To my dismay, I was unable to win the battle this morning. I was forced to surrender myself to wakefulness and decided to enjoy the crisp autumn air. As I sat on my front porch I perceived the wind that was literally whistling, the sky cloaked in the color of mourning, and the wind chimes singing in harmony. It reminded me of
Arizona Dream. If you haven’t seen this movie, I recommend it simply because of the breathtaking scenery. Disclaimer: it is a bit bizarre (at least not in a David Lynch kind of way).
My mom tells us that each morning it is good to walk outside barefoot to “ground” oneself and neutralize the body. I’ve never put much stock in this advice, but in the early hours of the prologue to today I had the irresistible urge to abandon my sandals and walk on the graveled driveway that leads to the house. It worked. Although I won’t fall asleep before beginning my a.m. routine in preparation for work, I’m sure I’ll be more productive when I arrive because I will be mindfully present, hopeful and appreciative for what I have.
October (Already??!!)
Another relaxing weekend in Austin…biked for butter with Amanda, took a pretty tough step class, ran around Town Lake despite the swamp-like conditions, watched the Texas game with Omid, and attended a house warming party with Amanda. Eric was in town with his friend Dennis. On Friday night Aly, Natalie and Amanda hosted a tapas party. They prepared all sorts of tasty dips and dishes: baba ganoush, roasted red pepper hummus, olive tapanade, basil pesto, and roasted garlic (YUM). Amanda was the baker this weekend. She made brownies and blueberry muffins from scratch. Maybe I should refrain from posting when I’m hungry.
On a non-food note, did you know that the U.S. population surpassed 300,000,000 this morning?
The nation's odometer clicked over to 300,000,000 early this morning. Someone is born in this country every seven seconds; someone dies every 13 seconds; and one new immigrant arrives every 31 seconds. Put them together, and presto: the United States has added one new resident every 11.25 seconds since the U.S. Census Bureau made the last official count in 2000.
-From MercuryNews.com
Good people doing good things:
http://www.homelessgardenproject.org/
Natalie, Michelle and Natalea
What a feast!
Sangria was a fitting touch to the tapas party.
Greetings from Salado!
Here's a shot with Antonio...and cheesecake :)
bon boncitacita
blogging with mamacita
This weekend I went to Houston to spend time with my parents. It was relaxing and quite enjoyable. Mom and I are enjoying a lazy Sunday by exploring some of her old notebooks. I'm not sure of the sources, but here are some interesting thoughts to start your week:
-Water: connects, flows and dissolves things.-Fire: helps to create the vital inner energy that everything is said to have.-Air: gives space, gives movement, the medium of communication between things.-Earth: gives things form and substance.Everything has its particular combination of these things put together in a particular proportion to make a particular entity. New in paperback this week...
Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town.According to the New York Times- "Tulia follows the legal battle that ultimately led to the reversal of the convictions, and is a devastating critique of Texas' judicial system and the nation's drug laws." The Times goes on to describe this book as a "modern-day
To Kill a Mockingbird." Thank God for the Atticus Finches in the world.
