Posts made in January, 2010

Mid-Winter Blues Attack

Posted by admin on Jan 25, 2010 in health | 2 comments

The wind is howling outside my window with a view of an icy white tundra. Everything is frozen. The snow is dirty, hard, and still piled too high for us to get to the mailbox. In the past weeks we endured insane blizzards making us scoop snow for hours, subzero temps that have locked inside for days, power outages, and ice storms. We don’t go out and we’re going a bit crazy staying in. Yes, winter is here with a vengeance this year.

At first I was enjoying a change of routine, the early evenings in, running in extreme temps. But now I just want to go for a walk without my back hunched and toes frozen. I want to hear bird song and feel sunshine on my skin.

This is our third Dakota winter and with each year we get a little better at the survival game. We make sure we take our vitamins — plenty of fish oil and vitamin C. We invest in super warm running clothes and ice grippers for our shoes so we can continue to get exercise. We figured out the importance of scooping snow BEFORE you drive on it. Saturday matinees, baking scones, taking warm baths, investing in a hot water bottle, and of course, building an insanely cool home theater helps.

February is just around to the corner, ending this longest, coldest month of the year. With it comes the Olympics, our anniversary, and a short break to Austin. I can do this. I can make it through a -30 below, two feet of snow, everything frozen and closed down winter. Because as they say, “There are two seasonal diversions that can ease the bite of any winter. One is the January thaw. The other is the seed catalogues.”

The Magic of Wong Thai Sin

Posted by admin on Jan 6, 2010 in wealth | 5 comments

This is a picture of my mother-in-law and me at Wong Thai Sin Temple in Hong Kong. I’m the blondie and she’s bent over next to me writing. It’s a place where prayers are answered using fortune sticks called kau cim.

While meditating on your intention or question, you shake a cup of sticks — each with a number. One eventually falls out and that is your fortune. The number is tied to a story when interpreted is your fortune.

My mother-in-law goes back every year to ask about the future of everyone in the family. Her report back is spookily accurate. Each year I wait with great anticipation to hear the news. And this year’s was stunning.

My story is about a phoenix that rises from the ashes and flies over the forest. A new beginning. A rebirth. Finding my inner calling.

That’s exactly how I intend 2010 to unfold. My word for this year is “soar”. To fly to new (scary) heights and truly expand my wings. I plan to make it a year where I tap into my deepest creativity, making the most of my talents. This will lead me to adventures and experiences beyond my imagination. This is the year I fly.

I wish you all much prosperity and peace in 2010. You have everything you need right now to make all your wishes come true, so come fly with me, come fly, come fly away… (think Sinatra).