Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Pasta Fresca Salad


My newest culinary creation has quickly become one of my favorites - I'm calling it Pasta Fresca Salad.  It's super easy to make whether you're preparing it for yourself or a whole group - and from start to finish it takes less than fifteen minutes!  I made mine with whole wheat pasta, slices of yellow bell peppers, Greek olives, baby greens, and slices of fig, all drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.  It has a great combination of flavors and packs a ton of antioxidants onto one plate.  It's also perfect for experimenting with seasonal fruits and veggies as they come into their prime and a good way to get some greens into your diet if you're not a fan of plain green salads.  It'd make a great side dish, but I've been devouring a whole plate for lunch and it's just right for getting me through four hours of class in the afternoon!





Monday, March 30, 2009

Spring: MoMA Style

After another freak snowfall this morning in Denver it’s hard for me to believe we’re knee deep in spring. But skimming through the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) website I came across these absolutely lust-worthy buys, all of which might just hold me over until the rest of the snow melts.

SunJar by MoMA

It seems like it should be filled with lightening bugs, but the SunJar is actually solar powered.

Giggle Gift Wrap by MoMA

  I want to sink my toes into this wrapping paper.

Bird Bowl by MoMA

I love the simple design of this serving dish.  It's perfect for filling with some Easter jelly beans!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Jill Greenberg

Photo by Jill Greenberg

Some time ago, while bumbling through Barnes and Noble (one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon), I stumbled upon Jill Greenberg’s book Monkey Portraits: a collection of the most captivating primate photographs.  I discovered Jill’s website today and her series on dogs and bears are also stunning.  Check her out at www.manipulator.com.  You can also see ABC News's review of Monkey Portraits complete with many of the images from the book here.



Photo by Jill Greenberg


Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday

There are few things I enjoy more than a lazy Sunday.  No work to do, no errands to run, no agenda, just hours of bliss.  This is what my perfect day looks like this week - simplistic, Zen, and a fortune or two for good measure. 

What’s your perfect Sunday look like?  If it doesn’t materialize today, plan for next week now.  With a little footwork earlier in the week, you'll be on your way to an afternoon laying in the park or an entire day indulging yourself in a new murder mystery in no time. 

Saturday, March 28, 2009

In Limbo

You know that feeling when you’re ready to take on a new challenge but you can’t do it just yet? Feeling like you’re stuck in a life that no longer resembles what you want, but unable to do what it is you’d truly like? How about when you fall asleep each night counting down the days until you’ll finally have the chance to jump into a new project, move into a different place, or take a similar step towards making your dreams a reality?

Welcome to limbo. We say we’re “in limbo” when we’re stuck between a set of circumstances that no longer supports what we want and one which is not yet attainable. While we’re not exactly in the mythical portion of hell whence the term came, for anyone “in limbo” it can feel just as torturous. 

People use the term to describe the way they feel in many different situations, but it’s likely that, in one form or another, we have all been there. Impatiently struggling through day-to-day drudgery when all you can think about is how things will be when the house is sold/ the stars align/you save enough money to start that business/you earn your degree/etc.

While sometimes being “in limbo” can be a great opportunity for reflection and planning, it can also do some major damage to our motivation and wellbeing.

For the past few months I’ve been in limbo. I have been working on undergraduate and graduate degrees in business for the past four years and will enter the workforce in August. I no longer feel like a student, but I’m far from feeling like a true adult either. While I have extensive lists of the projects, feats, and experiences I plan to tackle when I have time and funds and no more homework to think about, I’ve come to a realization. 

No one ever has enough time. No one ever has enough resources. We are all in limbo if we allow ourselves to wait for the timing to be just right to start on that list of desires.

So what are we to do? Well one option is to dwell on our imperfect set of circumstances to the point of paralysis and never begin to pursue the life we want. This choice might look something like staying in a miserable job because you never feel financially secure or prepared enough to start your own venture, or staying in an unsatisfying relationship because you’re waiting for something better to come along first. 

The second option is to fully embrace the resources and abilities we currently have, as imperfect as they may seem, and take action. 

For some time I’ve chosen the first path – thinking I couldn’t possibly pursue my goals of starting my own blog, writing for pleasure, learning to sew, experimenting with design and style, or starting my own business because I simply didn’t have the time, the money, the resources, or the self-confidence. Well the truth is, I never will. So instead, I’m ready to dive in with what I do have.

This blog chronicles my findings and musings as I attempt to rediscover my passions and start becoming the person I always dreamed I’d be.  I’m not waiting for the time to be right any longer.

Welcome to apartment 303.