Rumination on fearlessness

I think being fearless is overrated. I see it all over - in quotes, on jewelry - and I can't figure it out. I mean who really wants to be fearless? I think fear is an extraordinary thing. It can push you farther than you ever thought possible or it can freeze you in your tracks - but it can only do that if you let it. I love feeling fear - that knot in my stomach I get before I do something that scares me whether it's jumping out of a plane, going on a trip to the unknown, starting a new job.... all scary things. But feeling that fear and doing it anyway is one of the most precious gifts we can give ourselves. Those are the moments you surprise yourself and I think any time you do that, you grow. 

Happy Weekend

I've always been one to take the road less traveled. I left college smack dab in the middle and went on a 6 month backpacking trip to China. I've never really had a career path, I've just raised my hand and have always been willing to try something new. It's pretty much been a course in exploration and I've learned a lot about myself along the way. What I realized a couple years ago was that doing good in this world matters to me and having a job that matters is important to me too. And so I went in search. Anyone who has done the job hunt thing knows it stinks, to say the least. Everyone has you apply online these days and it's so hard to get someone to really consider you (I'm not really a good on paper kind of person). There is an added level of difficulty when you are changing fields - for me it was corporate to nonprofit. But after a year or so of searching it has finally paid off and I have landed a job that I could not be more excited about! More to come on the nonprofit itself, but I get to be apart of something that matters and in so many ways I feel like my life it about to change. I feel free and happy and like the perseverance has paid off.

Happy weekend! I hope you find something big or small to celebrate.

Stuff to inspire you: Forbes list of 30 under 30 social entrepreneurs is impressive to say the least! These folks are changing the world in really incredible ways.

Stuff to make you laugh: #1 on this list made me laugh out loud.

Stuff to make you hungry... if you like brussels sprouts: I am a huge fan and  this collection of recipes made me happy.

Stuff to put your stuff in: I'm a fan of soft, worn in luggage - bags that have been someplace and survived something. Bed Stu makes my favorite weekend bag that gives you all that feeling from the start.

Wardrobe: Camping

I've been seriously thinking about heading out west for a week and making my first visit to Yosemite. This is definitely off-season (which appeals to me) and definitely cold, but I think it might be fun. I'm a huge fan of all these brands (REI, Ibex, Asolo, Patagonia and Mountain Hardware), but I think some things can be easily swapped for others. Asolo boots however are ones that I have yet to find a comparable alternative to. I spent my first backpacking trip to China in a pair of these bad boys and have not looked back since.

tent, shirt, boots, hat, jacket, pants

Listen Up

I am a firm believer that songs are about timing - things touch you differently at different points in your life. I have been in a relatively mellow place musically for awhile, but I put my iPod on shuffle this morning on the way to work and stumbled on a song that I'm not sure when I downloaded, but today it made my smile. Admittedly I'm kind of a sucker for brass - sax, trumpet, you name it - so the fact that Ben Rector picks up a sax on this one is pretty much a no-brainer for me. Enjoy!

sunday dinners

I didn't really make a list of resolutions this year. Instead I made a list of 33 things to do before I turn 33. Some of them are things to actually go out and do (e.g. rock climbing), some are more internal (don't hibernate when things get tough) and some are things that I would like to make routine. One of those routines is cooking dinner for myself on Sunday. I am going to preface this by saying I can't really cook. I get nervous that when I think things are done, they actually aren't and I am potentially going to give myself food poisoning (ok that's worst case scenario, but you get the idea). I can make some pasta and roast some veggies but past that I'm useless. I thought if I could start making Sunday dinner then maybe I could get a little more used to the idea of just being in the kitchen and potentially alleviate some of the anxiety that I'm going to poison myself.  That said, I'm starting simple. Here are a few recipes on my list to try (links to recipes below)

Recipes from top left: sandwich, pizza, pasta, salad

Interestingness

I am an avid reader of Brain Pickings. Maria Popova, it's founder, describes it best: "Brain Pickings is a human-powered discovery engine for interestingness, a subjective lens on what matters in the world and why, bringing you things you didn't know you were interested in - until you are."

As I try to settle back into a work day routine, this particular post caught my attention -  How to Avoid Work: A 1949 Guide to Doing What You Love. I'm guessing some of you can empathize with these feelings.

State of Mind

Images in here, here, here and here

Happy Weekend

I hope everyone in NYC is staying bundled up and warm in the snow. For some this was a short work week and a transition back to real life. For others, like me, this is the beginning of the end of the holiday respite. 

Stuff worth reading: I got this book for Christmas and absolutely love it. The idea is that each generation has wisdom to pass on to the next and this book is filled with that wisdom from many notable names (as well as some I had to google). The stunning pictures don't hurt either. 

Stuff dreams are made of: This is my dream trip complete with a vintage Kombi. Some day....

Stuff to try: I am not really one to be ahead of the curve in the restaurant scene in New York, but Toro is one I managed to get in on before the masses. It's Meatpacking location ensures that it is packed with the cool kids, but even for those who enjoy the more laid back vibe, this place is easy to love. 

Stuff that's pretty: Recently I have ditched my big rings in favor of a more simple look and came across Jennie Kwon Designs. Her stuff is delicate and simple and so easy to love. 

image from here

Wardrobe: Bundle up

Jacket, sweatshirt, jeans, boots, hat

try something new

There is something about the new year that always inspires me to go out and find something new to try. It doesn't need to become a new hobby or passion, but who knows it just might. This year I took a flying trapeze lesson (see image bottom right, yep that's me!) which, by the way, is an insane workout! I used muscles I didn't know I had and was sore for days.

So the question is what to try this year. I have gone in search of some options and found some fun stuff (clockwise from top left)

LAVA: It's actually a dance/theater/acrobatic troupe who performs all over New York, but you can also take some pretty weird, but awesome classes with them. I haven't done a handstand since I was a kid - might be fun to try.

Brooklyn Boulders: I've heard such good things about this place. Whether you are an advanced climber or just starting out (that would be me), they've got a class for you.

Urban Glass: Classes here are a little expensive, but if it's something you might be into I think it's totally worth it. I have always thought glass blowing was such a beautiful form of art. This would be a really fun way to put artistic skills to the test.

Eye Candy

I stumbled on this video and started watching having no idea who made it or what it was for. Turns out it's a Paul Smith underwear campaign (ha!), but that certainly doesn't take away from the incredible feats these guys perform. The scenery is stunning and it does not hurt matters to have some incredibly fit and adventurous men in their underwear.