End of the year wrap up

Well, folks, I petered out this month.  I did manage to play a Wii for the first time.  I'm not necessarily certain that absolutely 100% counts, but at this point I'm going to take it!

This past year has been a true learning experience for me.  While I didn't accomplish everything, I did some of the bigger things on my bucket list!  Going to Ireland was probably as good as it gets.  Not only did I visit the land of my ancestors, but also, I was able to go with my sister.  It was definitely one of the highlights of my life, thus far.

I had to learn to let some things go--learning Russian was just too much.  I may give it another go at some point, but I'm ok with leaving it alone for now.

I'd say overall pushing myself out of my comfort zone has been good for me.  So, next year I'm pushing a little more.

Happy New Year and God bless you!

I've Been Knotty...

My thing for this month has been something I have tried to do in the past, but at which have never been successful. I actually learned how to crochet this month! My grandmother taught me to knit when I was ten or eleven, but I decided several years ago, for whatever reason I really needed to know how to crochet. I bought a book, but was never able to get it. My friend, Jacki taught me a simple pattern for a scarf, but I still couldn't really do it. I pushed through, though, and practiced (many, many frustrating hours of practice). Then, as if a light switch was turned on, I got it!!! So, I've been a crocheting fool. I also found a pattern for a different kind of scarf that I really like and have made several scarves. My next big project--afghans for my nephews!!!!

While this whole venture may seem rather mundane in nature, it truly is a huge step for me. Most of my life, whenever I encounter something hard or something at which I don't excel, I either give up or don't pursue it. I really wanted to give up several times, but by forcing myself to not give up, enabled me to be creative in a completely different way. I feel very domestic goddessy.

So, we're nearly at the end of my little experiment. Next month I'll recap--a State of the Union address, if you will. Plus, I need to come up with something completely amazing to cap this all off!

Until then, Happy Holidays!

Sake to me

I really stepped out on a limb this month...I joined a book club. "But, Lara," you say. "You love to read. You've NEVER been in a book club?" Sadly, no. Here's the thing. I do love to read. I have a rather voracious appetite when it comes to reading. The thing is, I read for pleasure. Do I have perfect retention? No. Do I over analyze every nuance of wording. Typically not. I always figured joining a book club would take me back to the days when I would sit in my lit classes and dread being called upon, for fear of giving some absurd answer. So, when my friend, Amanda asked me to join, I actually said yes, much to my surprise.

We met Monday. Our book: Memoirs of a Geisha. I had wanted to read it for such a long time (and wanted to see the movie). So I accomplished both this month. What I loved about Memoirs was how detailed Arthur Golden's writing was. To write from the female perspective in such a way is really to his credit. I was drawn in by the cleverness of his heroine and learned about an aspect of a culture of which I knew so little.

The group itself is not extremely diverse, except in age (I, of course, am the oldest). I truly enjoyed hearing the other's opinions and was engaged in discourse. These are bright women and I am so glad I decided to join!

I highly recommend the book, btw. While I enjoyed the movie, I favor the book more.

Until next month!

September's "Thing" is...

Scrapbooking! Since BOTH Katie and Kara deemed it so, I guess it is my duty to follow through.
I need to get a move on!

Thanks, ladies, for your input!!!

Where the streets have no name...

Ok, I know Bono wasn't talking about Dublin when he wrote that song (see below), but seriously!  Fortunately being perpetually lost in Dublin did not mar our trip.  I won't bore you with the details.  I did fall in love with Ireland, although it was completely different than I imagined (not bad, just different).  I learned a bit about myself; my sister shined a light on some not so flattering qualities I have embodied as of late (namely loss of confidence).  All in all it was a wonderful experience.  Without further ado, here are the top lessons learned in Ireland (in no particular order):

1)  Always bring a converter even if you don't think you'll need one (R.I.P. portable fan).

2)  If you are lost, look up (on the side of buildings--that's where the street signs are posted).

3)  Roundabouts are the Irish version of a do-over!

4)  Never underestimate the power of a pot of tea.

5)  A Spar can save your life (or at least ease your hunger at a very low cost!).

6)  A little more planning would have paid off and saved some money.

7)  Traveling with someone you love is helpful when you have been up for 24 hours and are a bit cranky.

8)  Sometimes veering off the scheduled route leads to amazing discoveries.

9)  If you want interesting info--ask a local.

10)  A little patience goes a long, long way. 

Pics are posted here.

So, I still need a "thing" for this month.  I toyed with the idea of counting Ireland for both August and September, but that's wussing out, right?   Any ideas?

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...

So, my bags are packed. I have my passport (yes, I have triple checked). I have resolved most of my loose ends at work. So, I am good to go. I’ll have to admit I am experiencing an underlying anxiety. Flying doesn’t make me nervous; in fact I rather enjoy the experience. I get anxious about the details, but that’s why I have my sister. I pinpointed my anxiety to the fact that I really talk a big game. I have all these ideas and plans for myself, but my track record on follow through has been less than stellar. So, the fact that I am pursuing a long standing dream of mine is HUGE for me. This trip is about me realizing I deserve good things and not feeling guilty about it.

I don’t have a huge itinerary planned (another area on which I am working). We do have hotels booked (I can’t fly completely by the seat of my pants. Sorry, Cory!). Other than that we are really at our leisure (I think I can figure out how to relax).

I’ll have a pretend pint of Guinness and post my pics when I get back!

Keep Fishin'

Growing up I always felt my dad wanted boys, not that I didn't feel loved; I did.  My dad was very much the outdoorsy type--he hunted, fished, played golf, etc.  He wanted my sister and I to share in those things he loved.  We did not enjoy them.  We did love our dad, though.  He would wake us up at the crack of dawn, make us grab our Snoopy fishing rods (his way of coaxing/tricking us into fishing) and hit the lake.  I wish I could say those were lovely memories.  It usually ended in my dad's frustration, because a) I talked too much or b) my sister whined incessantly.  My poor dad.  He put up with a great deal from us.  But if he asked, we went.   I honestly don't think I've been fishing since I was maybe 10 or 11 (about the time I started to figure out I was way too cool to hang with dear old Dad).

The credit for the idea for this month's "thing," again goes to my friend, Cory.  He challenged me to get all the licenses I could.  I didn't go that far, but I did get my fishing permit.  I applied online and have not yet received it.  Once I do, I'm going to fish...cue the theme song from "The Andy Griffith Show."  

Just so you know, I can bait my own hook.

Stay tuned for August--it's going to be huge...driving lessons (I need to learn to drive a stick shift) and IRELAND!!!!

Perspective

Yesterday marked the 9^th anniversary of my father’s death. While I wasn’t completely devoid of emotion, I didn’t run the gamut of feelings (as I am prone to do). If you were to ask me last week, however, I would have told you a different story. Nine years still hasn’t lessened the hole I feel without my dad here, but I do have a greater appreciation for him as a person.

I know as time goes by I remember less and less of the truly horrible aspects of my childhood. I think that’s God’s gift to me. Perhaps I’m making a more concerted effort to hold on those wonderful memories of my father. There really isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not reminded of him in some small way. I hear a song or catch a line of a movie he loved and I instantly remember him—his smile or his infectious laugh.

I have a picture sitting on my bedroom dresser—my parents on their honeymoon. They look so young and happy. I like to think at one time they truly were happy and so full of possibilities. What happened along the way in their lives resembled nothing even close to the look of hope on their faces. The picture is a reminder to me and gives me perspective—we don’t always get what we want out of life (and I am learning that isn’t always a bad thing). My parents wanted the best for my sister and I and they weren’t able to see that fulfilled during their lifetime. Not that I’m where I need to be by any means, but this year I am definitely closer.

I miss you MOTO.

Kara made me do this...

My friend, Kara, tagged my blog with an interesting challenge:

1. Write the title to your own memoir using 6 words.
2. Post it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who tagged you.
4. Tag 5 more blogs.

Here's mine:
Thirty-Five and Holding: A Love Story
The story of a thirty-something who woke up one day and finally started living her life (and loving herself in the process).

Tag:
Danita
Amy
Melissa
Seth
Michelle

Update:  A Photo

So, perhaps I'm not as technically savvy as I would like to think.  Still having trouble uploading all the photos.  I had to go about uploading this one from Picasa.  So, this is a pic of the final product

I'm not saying it's perfect, not the way I remember, but it does at least taste ok!

Won't you take me down, 'causing I'm going to...Strawberry Hill

My "thing" for this month is more about nostalgia, I suppose, than anything else.  Back in Kansas City, KS my grandparents grew up near an area called Strawberry Hill.  It was an interesting area with an influx of Croatians and other Eastern Europeans.  After my grandfather died, my grandmother moved to Overland Park, KS, but she still had ties to that community.  She would take my sister and I there and we would stop and get Povitica--a wonderful swirled bread filled with walnuts or my favorite: cream cheese.  Years ago the Kansas City Star printed a recipe for Povitica.  I clipped it out and put it my collection vowing someday I would make this special treat.  Well, after 12 years, I finally made it!!!!  A special thanks to my friend, Cory, for motivating/challenging me to undertake the daunting task.  I won't include the recipe (you can search for it--I found many similar to the one I made).  I will include this link to The Strawberry Hill Povitica Co. where you can order Povitica online and see what it is supposed to look like.

I want to include some pics, but I am having technical difficulty.  I will try my best to post them, but I promise they do exist.

Until next month...

Здравствуйте! (Hello)

Yes, dear friends, I am finally undertaking learning Russian. I always thought I had a knack for languages. I loved learning Spanish when I was in high school and college--not that I've retained much. I can basically ask for a beer (which I wouldn't drink) and for the bathroom.

My impetus for learning Russian stems from growing up knowing I am named after Larissa ("Lara") Antipova from "Dr. Zhivago." I have always had a fascination with learning more about Russia. My job brings me into contact with Russian immigrants and I continue to be amazed by these wonderful people. That being said, I am not having an easy go of it. I hope that changes in time. I purchased some software and have barely been able to get through the first two lessons (I've had to repeat them several times). It does help that I am around enough native speakers that at least I hear it spoken on a daily basis. I hope I get beyond saying things like, "The girl eats rice" or "The bicycle is red." I guess I have to start somewhere, right?

До свидания until next month!

I drove my Chevy to the levy...

I would remiss if I didn't blog today, since it is a first for me. Today marks the one year anniversary of my mom's death. I've been thinking the song "American Pie" for some reason all day today. It isn't that the song necessarily reminds me of my mom, but more about experiences with her. One of the few things we did share in common was our love for music. Being the hippie she was, the lady really turned me on to folk music growing up. We used to sit around and listen to records for hours. She would put Megan and I to sleep with Peter, Paul, and Mary. To this day I have a Pavlovian response to "I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane." Seriously.

My relationship with my mother was strained, to say the least. I have spent a bulk of this year trying to figure out who I am without either of my parents. It hasn't been easy, but I have had such an outpouring of love and support from friends and family alike. I feel so blessed that God has seen to bringing me closer to healing. I want to send a big thank you to all those who have offered prayer and words of encouragement. The little things have meant a great deal to me, folks!!!

I started this blog because I wanted to live my life differently. I actually have my mom to thank for that. She lived a life full of regrets. I don't want that for myself. So, here's to living my life.

I feel the earth move (under my bed) and loss...

This month due to craziness of life, I failed to actually seek out anything new--the new found me.  I experienced my first earthquake--a 5.2 @ 4:37 AM on April 18th.  I was up, btw.  I wasn't feeling well and woke up to go to the bathroom.  A short time later, I started shaking.  My first thought was "Am I THAT sick that I'm trembling?"  Apparently I wasn't that rattled.  I went back to sleep.  Even when I saw the news crews along Kingshighway overpass, I failed to make the connection.  It wasn't until I arrived at work and my residents were congregating all a buzz that I realized what had occurred. 

Not everything in my life is always shiny and happy.  I do have moments of complete heartbreak, especially where my job is concerned.  I love my job.  I do.  I know I am where God wants me and I am passionate about the seniors for which I care.  This month I experienced a first in my career--one that I anticipated, but prayed that I would never experience.  For confidentiality reasons I can't go into detail, suffice it to say, my community lost a very dear resident.  I felt the loss personally and probably did not handle it in the most professional manner.  Unfortunately, it was a good learning experience to be prepared every day for loss, not to dwell on it to the point I am no longer effective at my job, but to anticipate the inevitable.

Surprisingly, this experience did not cause me to second guess my career choice.  If anything, I want to continue to make certain I am constantly in contact with my residents and more involved in making certain they receive the best care.  My friends have given me so much encouragement over the past few days, as well.  I am so thankful that I can do this job and have the love and support to get through the tough times.  God is so good.

I've got the music in me...

So, this month I ventured into two areas that are not within my comfort zone, per se: cooking and Salsa dancing.

I signed up for a cooking class at the Kitchen Conservatory. Along with my friends Kara and Jessi, we were treated to amazing culinary creations under the theme of "Green with Envy." Our chef for the night started us off with homemade tortilla chips (deep fried, baby!!) and guacamole with roasted corn and chipotle peppers--ah-mazing!!! Next she served Midori sours (I abstained). Spinach salad with warm bacon and Dijon dressing and glazed pecans came next. Isn't everything better with bacon? Basil Lime chicken was served and then a key lime tart. While it was more of a demonstration class, it was lovely to watch the meal being cooked and waiting in anticipation for the next course. I would definitely enroll again, but I would take a hands on class.

Salsa at Flavor is going well. I truly wish I had someone to video how uncoordinated I am. I have two more lessons and I am contemplating taking the Beginning II class. It is fun and such a great workout. Like anything I just need to practice. The class is small so we do get quite a bit of extra instruction.

So, for next month I have some decisions to make: I really want to learn to play the guitar and I want to get started on learning another language (most likely Russian). We'll see where the month takes me.

I did more than I thought...

When I started out this month, I thought I had it all planned.  Neither one of those plans came to fruition.  Not to worry.  I was reflecting on this month and I did do several new things:

1) Went to a fish fry

2) Went to a hip hop concert

3) Went salsa dancing and subsequently signed up for dance lessons!!!

First, the fish fry was completely and wonderfully awesome.  St. Pius V had a very festive atmosphere.  It was completely packed.  When I finally arrived, the band was setting up.  They had sheets of lyrics on the table.  The best part of the evening was singing a song ABOUT the fish fry.  My group of friends were completely into it, so much in fact the priest came up to us after and thanked us for participating in the singing.

Second, the concert.  A young man who sings with the worship band at my church released a cd in December.  This month he gave a concert promoting that cd at The Journey.  J.R. was engaging and had very thoughtful lyrics.  While that type of music is not the first genre to which I would gravitate, I had fun dancing.

Which brings me to the third new thing--salsa dancing.  My friend, Tim, organized an outing at a local dance studio called Flavor, located in The Loop.  I actually have attempted salsa dancing before, so this is not truly a "new" thing.  I was, however, less inhibited and enjoyed myself so much that I signed up for 5 weeks of salsa lessons.

I must apologize.  I really did have pics from my tattoo experience.  I thought I had transfered them from my camera to the computer--I was wrong.  I had already erased them from my camera.  That will teach me to double check!!!

I already have a new thing for March, a cooking class.  Stay tuned.  

Happy New Year?

So, it's January 31st. I'm much later than I had anticipated in posting.

First, I wanted to explain why I am blogging. As I was driving home from Chicago on New Year's Day, I vowed I was not going to compose a list of resolutions that I will never keep. Instead, I thought it would be better to actually start living my life. It sounds weird, but I really felt I have been a spectator in my own life for far too long. I'm 35 years old. I want to actually do the things I'm always talking about. So, this year I am setting out to do at least one new thing a month. 12 things. Simple enough. I have a running list of things I would like to accomplish this year. Check back to see what I'm doing every month. Not every thing is scary. Some things are costly.

So, my first thing: get a tattoo. This actually scared me more than I thought it would. I had been wanting one since my undergrad, but was too chicken to go through with it. I had this perception I would be perceived in a certain way. That was 13 or 14 years ago. Now, a tattoo is not really taboo. Nevertheless, I did lots of research (being the nerd that I am), received recommendations on local tattoo parlors (do they still call them that?) and garnered support from friends. It took me nearly all month to finally get up the nerve.

When arrangements were finally made and the day came, I was nervous excited. My friends were troopers that day. I wasn't able to get in when I thought I could (my fault) and my friends actually were wonderful enough to come back later that day with me. Sitting in the waiting area I began to have second thoughts. Imagining all kinds of horrible pain, not to mention the fact what I was doing was PERMANENT crossed my mind more than once!!! My name was called and I was shown into a curtained off area with an window though which my friends could view.

My tattoo artist, Jeremy was wonderful. He did a test area and it was mildly annoying. I don't know that I would have enjoyed it all day, but it was bearable. After 45 minutes of scratching me, Jeremy was done. It burned with the white hot pain of a million suns, but I had a tattoo, gosh darn it. He did a fabulous job. Exactly what I had asked for. My only complaint is with me. I should have shrunk it down even more. It seems enormous on my back (right shoulder blade to be exact). Well, virtually no going back now. I was told I would want another one now that I have one. I think I'm good. I did what I said I was going to do. That is all that matters to me. I'll be certain to post pics later.

I still don't know what's on tap for February. I have several things in mind. I'll see what pans out first.