Let's Talk About Books Baby!

January

Books Bought

 Carry On, Warrior By: Glennon Melton (audible)

My Life on the Road By: Gloria Steinem (audible)

The Firestarter Sessions By: Danielle LaPorte (audible)

Books Read

Carry On, Warrior By: Glennon Melton (audible)

My Life on the Road By: Gloria Steinem (audible) 

Well I feel like this is a bad sign... My first month ever where the only books I bought and read were all audible! *gasp*

All I have to say for myself is: I've got stuff going on folks!  Weekends filled with Broncos playoff games, volunteering for the upcoming Democratic Caucus on Super Tuesday in Colorado, hitting the gym a few times, finding my zen in yoga as much as I can, meet ups with my groovy goals coach (coffee & mountains), and just surviving the rush of a new semester at CU.  Life is busy... I gotta get my reading in on the go these days.  I don't foresee this becoming a trend, it's just how I'm surviving the moment.  

My online book club that I joined a few months back, Novel Grapes, chose Carry On, Warrior for our most recent read.  I should have read the fine print but since I was just downloading an audio version I didn't notice the tiny print on the cover that said from the author of momastery.com.  Oy.  For those of you who know me, you will know what a double edged sword this is.  I once longed to be a "mommy" and it turns out my body is not cut out for that.  It took some time, and growing up to realize that maybe God, the universe, or fate knew better than I did that I was not made for such things as, baby talk, dirty diapers, and putting someone else above all else in your life.

That makes me sound selfish... But this is not about me.

Had I seen the fine print before I started downloading and listening to this book, I would have sat this round out.

Nothing about this book is relatable to me.  I'm not big into addicts, people on fire for God in kind of an intimidating and maniacal way, and people who only seem to be able to talk about their kids.

Next up... Gloria Steinem!  Could these two women be any more different?  No, I think not.  I loved Gloria's story so much that if she weren't still alive I would think that maybe I was her in a different life.  It resonated.  It is the story I want to tell, a person who owned her body, who made her choices, who fought for and alongside the underrepresented.  This woman stood on the forefront of some of the most important historical moments in our country's history.  Her writing is rich, her cause is mighty, she is everything I would be if I could just be brave enough to do it.  

And it wasn't until I sat down to write this post and thought back on both of these books that I actually realized how much these two women have in common.  Abortions were had, both believe in equality, and they both have constructed the lifestyle that is right for them.  I mean after all, isn't feminism having the freedom to be a policy activist if you choose or a mom who builds a home if that's your fancy.  The bottom line is while Glennon might be a little too syrupy sweet for me--- she is out there... She is daring greatly (like Brene), she puts her stories out there for others to learn from and to judge.  But here's the thing... While I was quick to write her off as "just" a stay at home mom with her "mommy" blog.... I learned that she is on the forefront of change, in a different way than Gloria Steinem.  While Gloria is out fighting for other people's kids to be recognized and loved as humans- just as they are.  Glennon is starting the lesson in the home.  When she writes a letter to her son that if he should be gay then he should know that he is loved fiercely.  

Taking a stance that to some in the Christian community would judge and think is wrong, is very brave.  If more Christians would interpret Jesus the way Glennon and her family do--- it would start a revolution.  So maybe, Glennon is more bomb that I initially gave her credit for. 

Lesson to ourselves: Don't judge a book by it's tiny print.  

Portland Part 2

Playing some major catch up today, in February... But what else are snow days for?!  Let's just take it on back to October.  Think Portland.  

That's right, I found myself traveling and giving into that beautiful feeling that we call wanderlust.

I was staying in the city, right on Portland State University's campus in the thick of it all!  The PSU Park blocks, off of Park Avenue, just blocks from Powell's book store and the famous food carts, and just steps from the Portland Farmer's Market.

That's right, my friends have the hook up.

I was in town to visit a former co-worker, one of my favorite students to ever come out of CU Boulder!  And definitely one of my favorite friends to gossip with!  Josh and his partner Michael have the best apartment.  Looking over the park blocks and a block away from what might be my favorite quintessential cafe ever.  Their apartment reflects them, the people who they are--- travelers, scholars, life lovers--- these fellas have fresh flowers in their home at all times.  That wasn't the only tiny little detail that I fell in love with.  I loved the way they had these beautiful glass bottles in their fridge filled with cool water, I loved the way they opened all the windows-- sunny day or fog.  I loved the way when they made pasta they took it up a notch with fresh pine nuts.  I loved how they celebrated everything.  I mean everything.  

Here are some of my most favorite moments:

My first day that I woke up in Portland I was left to my own devices... The boys had to work.  I set out on the town and decided to take in some sights.  I walked all over that city.  I went to Stumptown, I went to Powell's, I went to a history museum, I met some former study abroad alumni for hot chocolate.  By the time I got the text to head back to the apartment because the boys would be home shortly, I was exhausted.  I came in the door, greeted by their warm faces--- ready to celebrate the weekend.

I told my darling ones there was no way I could walk anywhere to dinner (I was developing blisters on my feet at this point).  No problem.  We hopped in the car, drove across one of the many beautiful bridges and found another cozy nook of Portland.  We grabbed a drink at one spot, decided to head out to find another place to eat--- we found one we liked put our name on the list and entertained ourselves as we waited.  We saw a person sitting on the sidewalk with a typewriter.  We asked what they were doing--- and found out.  Give one word and they would write a poem for you based on that word.  Typewriter- no editing.  Tyler Knott Gregson style.  We gave the word, "intrigue", I wish I could find the poem but I'm not sure what book of mine it's ended up folded up inside of.  Some day I'll come across it and I will smile warmly remembering this night.

At last, it was our turn to be sat, if we were ok with the table outside on the sidewalk.  We were.  It was a crisp Autumn night, but the boys were in their flannels, and I always enjoy the coolness.  We ordered wine to keep us warm and I ordered crab linguine.  We talked religion and spirituality.  Leaves fell from trees as we laughed and clinked our glasses in cheers.  I remember feeling that this is the way life should always feel... And I got the distinct feeling that for these two more often than not it always feels this way.  Rich.  Warm.

We headed home, I took a hot shower, the chill Autumn air finally getting to me, I rinsed off a day full of sweat and city.  My feet felt raw.  I got into the comfiest of pj's and went out to the living room only to be met with a foot massage as we laughed over the funniest videos that YouTube has to offer.

Sweet Dreams.

The next morning I kid you not I was welcomed to the day with a greeting of "Good Morning" and one of my dear ones holding a mimosa.  We listened to Mariah Carey songs as we drank our morning cocktails and prepared to head out the front door to the farmers market.  (Seriously, right out their front door)!  We made our way around buying little things here and there--- breakfast burritos, sunflowers, artichokes for later.  Musicians played Edith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose" and it felt like a scene right out of a Woody Allen movie or something.  Again, the feeling... Why doesn't everyday life feel like this?

We dropped our goods off at the apartment and grabbed some essentials--- today we were heading to the coast.  Cannon Beach here we come!  Or as my sister would say if she was heading there, "Hey, you guys!!!!!"  First, we made a pit stop up to Washington State for some edibles.  Did I mention I was on vacation?  It'd been years since I had smoked so I thought maybe edibles would be more my speed these days.  

We drove through torrential rain.... And some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen.  We got to the beach... And I was feeling good.  We had sang at the top of our lungs... And though it was dreary and foggy (weather that suits me) we were at the ocean!  How different this part of the coast felt compared to California where I had been the previous month.  We took off our shoes and we walked to Haystack Rock.  We spun, we laughed, they talked about my teal scarf blowing in the wind and how elegant it looked.  Being around these boys made me feel like they see me differently than I see myself.  I had a feeling the way they approached life transcended into everything.  They could only see the very best of me.  

We had enough of the cold and headed to a local coffee shop called Sea Level Bakery.  A tiny snack and a yummy latte and we were back on the road. 

I felt sick.  Too much drinking, too many edibles had all caught up with me... I puked in my cup and all over the side of the road.  Even after witnessing this horrifically embarrassing moment the boys still told me on skype the other night how they were just talking about this the other day--- how gracefully I threw up in the cup.  God love 'em!  

Some major hydrating, some realizations that I'm almost 35 and need to treat my body more kindly, one Broncos win in one of the best Broncos bars this nation has to offer outside of Denver, and many episodes of  "Dance Moms" later I found myself back at PDX.

So long Portland, it's only a matter of time before I see you again.  You and your hosts are much too sweet to stay away from for long!

Rabbit Rabbit

You guys, one of my favorite fitness friends/blogger/goal digger tribe members is the incomparable Jacki Carr.  This month she's trying something new and challenging all of us to do the same, so here goes: 

The two things I’m most proud of from January are:
1.  Finally, not having the expectation that everything in my life was going to be different just because it was a New Year, therefore I didn't have the guilt that usually abounds when I don't make it to the gym or I drink a diet coke, etc.  Instead I looked at things like it's a process, and it's ongoing, it doesn't have a magic start date or end date... it is now, and now... and now.  See how this goes?
2.  I had a goal to go hiking 3 times in January, I didn't make this goal.  But I did do one hike, and I'm proud of that.  There were a few things that happened on this hike that I'm particularly proud of-- First, starting up the incline I started to get mad at myself that I'm that out of shape or that I could let myself get to this point.  But then my friend, my teacher, who was with me said, "It's good to be aware."  Thinking of that has been very good for me.  Sometimes it's easier to keep taking the elevator because I don't have to focus on how out of breathe I'd be if I took the stairs.  But awareness is always the first step to change, right?  It's like obviously, I have some goals, I know I need to change, but until I can really feel it--- then it's ok.  I can keep lying to myself or keep hiding the real raw broken down truth.  Secondly on this hike we came across a patch of ice and somehow I made it out into the middle of this patch before I started sliding around.  So there I was out in the middle and even though it was nothing but a few steps either way to get off of the center of the ice, I found myself sliding, catching my balance and I kept hearing my hiking partner say to me, "slowly, baby steps."  And then she bravely reached out her hand, I say bravely because I totally could have taken her down with me.  I felt like so many lessons were happening right in this little one minute of flailing around: 1)  When you are flailing about trying so hard not to fall--- slow down.  Breathe. Take baby steps.  2)  When you are flailing about trying so hard not to fall--- reach for help.  You don't have to flail about alone.

The two things I’m most grateful for from January are:
1.  My new yoga mat.
2.  Getting to see President Bill Clinton speak at a private event.

The lesson I learned and am carrying forward with me from January is:
You can talk the talk but to get where you wanna go you gotta walk the walk.

My intention for February is: 
More focus.  Instead of spreading myself all over looking for motivation I really just want to zone in on the 1-2 things that are really going to elevate me.

One thing I aim to do every day in February is: 
Write.

Because I am brave, here are two new/scary things I will do in February: 
1.  Today I already faced one of my biggest fears that I didn't even see coming.  The publishing company that is publishing my essay in a book, emailed me and asked me what publicity I would be willing to do.  Things ranging from radio interviews, news interviews, and book signings at my local bookstores.  This terrifies me.  I am so afraid of public speaking.  I want to be perfect before I have to stand in front of people (crazy, right)!?!  I don't want to talk about my most emotional story out loud!  Then why did I write it? And if I want to be a writer... these are things that I envision myself doing!  But it was always... someday... in the far off future.  Intangible.  And now it's happening before I'm ready for it.  But this is good practice.  I signed up for all forms of publicity.  I'm going all in.  We'll see what happens. 
2.  I feel like #1 was a big one... so maybe I get a pass on doing another scary thing?!  I've thought long and hard and I can't think of a second thing that would scare me that I would actually be willing to go through with.

The one book I definitely want to read in February is: 
Emma by Jane Austen.  A couple Valentine's Days ago I read that if you are single you should immerse yourself in Jane Austen to celebrate V-day instead of being that person that goes and sees a violent slasher film.  Since I have always loved Valentine's Day this article didn't have to twist my arm!  Hence was born my new ritual (until I run out of Jane Austen books to read anyways).

Just for fun, I will…
Make it a point to get up to Estes Park one weekend when the weather is nice.

As an act of intentional kindness, I will… 
Try harder to be pleasant to everyone even on the days when I don't even feel like getting out of bed.  :-)

Happy February Loves!

A Year in Review (2015)

2015- The Best Of!

Oh geez... the years just keep flying by!  Goodness!  Here are some of my favorites from 2015.  

Top 3 New Favorite Albums (in no particular order):

1. Brandi Carlile- The Firewatcher's Daughter

2. Sugar & The Hi Lows- High Roller

3. Erykah Badu- But You Caint Use My Phone

BONUS:

Andra Day- Cheers to the Fall

Top 3 New Favorite Fiction Books (in no particular order):

1. The Bullet by Mary Louise Kelly

2. The Diver's Tomb Lies Empty by Vendela Vida

3. Purity by Jonathan Franzen

Top 3 New Favorite Non-Fiction Books (in no particular order):

1. Missoula by Jon Krakauer

2. Rising Strong by Brene Brown

3. Wildflower by Drew Barrymore

BONUS:

Tyler Knott Gregson (um, hello, obviously)

Top 3 favorite books read this year (but published outside of 2015):

1. All the Lights We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

2. Euphoria by Lily King

3. Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns by Andrea Gibson

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

December

Books Bought
Fall of Giants By: Ken Follett
 Year of Yes By: Shonda Rhimes (audible)
Rising Strong By: Brene Brown
Daring Greatly By: Brene Brown
Things I Would Like To Do With You By: Waylon Lewis
Spirit Junkie By: Gabrielle Bernstein (audible)
A Clash of Kings By: George R.R. Martin (audible)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone By: J.K. Rowling (audible)

Books Read 
Luckiest Girl Alive By: Jessica Knoll
 Year of Yes By: Shonda Rhimes (audible)
 Things I Would Like To Do With You By: Waylon Lewis
Wanderlust: A Modern Yogi's Guide to Discovering Your Best Self By: Jeff Krasno 

The Bullet By: Mary Louise Kelly

Salt By: Nayyirah Waheed

Spirit Junkie By: Gabrielle Bernstein (audible)

Wow guys! Another crazy year has come to an end!!! I can't believe how fast the time is flying by!

December was a pretty big book month for me... that's bound to happen with colder weather, snow days, holidays, and longer weekends!

Let's just talk about Books Read shall we?

Starting from the top...

Luckiest Girl Alive- this one was entertaining and as a Colorado teen of the 90's I knew where it was going... There is something to be said for high school and the pressure of cliques and we all know how the 90's ended.  I think because of personal history and interest in the topic this fictional rendition of a scene that has become all too familiar was intriguing to me.

Year of Yes LOVE this book!  I should've known since I'm a fan of Shonda Rhimes shows... but as of her personally all I've ever known is how she has conflict with Katherine Heigl who I love so I don't know what I was expecting.  But I loved it.  Very motivational and real.  Good book for the new year!

Things I Would Like To Do With You Ok this book is by a local author, creator of Elephant Journal.  I decided to support this project on Kickstarter and within the time of supporting it and paying 40 bucks and never getting updates I actually met people who know him personally and claim he's kind of a gigantic douche.  Secondhand personal opinions aside.... I liked the idea of this book more than I liked the actual book.  It's romantic for sure, and at times a little indulgent... but it's one man's manifesto of the love he's had and the love he's looking for. Very Boulder in the sense of it's organic and Buddhist.  Read it to see what I mean.

Wanderlust I finally finished this beast and I think it is a fantastic introduction into all the areas of yoga.  The physical practice, the Gods, the food, the community, the meditations, the reasons why, the history.  It touches on everything and asks the reader important questions.  Great coffee table addition!

The Bullet  I've said it before and I'll say it again. Mary Louise Kelly writes the kind of books that should be turned into movies! Love it! And I love the way the women in her stories are always in fascinating cities, single, and intelligent.  Good thriller!

Nayyirah Waheed.... I was given you as a gift for Christmas, and Wow!!!  Here are some of my faves:

the thing you are most

afraid to write.

write that.

---advice to young writers

'i love myself.'

the

quietest.

simplest.

most

powerful.

revolution.

ever

---ism

as a child 

there was either

books

or 

pain.

i chose books.

---how i became a writer

africa does not need your tears.

or

your prayers.

or

your money.

or

your t-shirts.

or 

your telethons.

or

your hands ever so lovingly placed

on her buttocks.

your mouth at her breasts.

your fists in her eyes.

she wants you to stop pissing in her face

and calling it water.

Good, right?!?!?!

There were so many poems... just small little morsels that leave a taste.  I'm still mulling some of them over and trying to understand ways that I have maybe struck someone in my ignorance of their culture, or what it means to be them.  Very powerful, very impactful.  Will be reading more by this poet in the future!

And lastly.... Spirit Junkie

I like Gabrielle.  I like her whole vibe.  I'll be listening to this one again, so many lessons to learn and again things to mull over.  I feel I have a lot to learn from this author.

That's it! Another year of reading over.  What will 2016 bring?  What will I discover? Who will move me?  I'm excited for what's to come!

 

Let's Talk About Books Baby!

November

  Books Bought

Avenue of Mysteries By: John Irving

A Game of Thrones By George R.R. Martin (Audible)

Books Read

Fates & Furies By: Lauren Groff

The Untethered Soul By: Michael A. Singer (Audible)

Wildflower By: Drew Barrymore

November!  Important things to note... I've decided to start over with Game of Thrones (again)... now that I'm completely addicted to the show and I feel I have a better grasp on the millions of characters, I'm thinking the books will be more interesting this time around!  We'll see.

Also, as you can see... I got to meet Chelsea Clinton... meaning that me and Ash now have the whole family's books signed by them! How exciting!  I was nervous as all get out!  I think because Chelsea and I are close in age and she is so accomplished, I just felt nervous.  But she was very sweet!  As I knew she would be! :-) 

As for books read... the #1 book of the year making all the end of year lists: Fates & Furies... I'm not really seeing what the big fuss is about.  I didn't think either of the two characters were relate-able and their story was kind of weird.  I get it was supposed to be a realistic portrayal of marriage, but if you ask me nothing will ever beat Revolutionary Road when it comes to this arena. 

On to Untethered Soul, me oh my... I get what this book was doing.  You can be an observer of your thoughts, acknowledge them, and let them go.  If it was that easy we would all be doing exactly that.  There are reasons we harp on things.  Yes, some of us do it more than others.... but isn't what makes us all human is that we react to life?!?!  I get it, we should strive to be more present, let go of the past and things we can't control... but after awhile this message got redundant.  If we literally could just acknowledge everything how would we ever have the opposite emotions on the other side of the pendulum?  The joy, love, etc.  If we are just supposed to acknowledge and let go of everything... wouldn't we just be robots?  I don't know, I like yoga and I like meditation but sometimes when you start analyzing things as much as this book did, well, that's just as annoying as what the book was saying you shouldn't be doing. Oy.  

Let it go, let it go, let it go (sung to the tune of Let it Snow).

Next.

Drew, oh Drew how us that love the 90's worship you!  I had forgotten so many wonderful things and reading this book was like taking a walk down memory lane.  Drew writes casually, but she definitely delves into important things... like how to get ready for a relationship and how to be a person with a cause.  This was a delightful read!  

What have you been reading lately?  Any suggestions?

Portland

Portlandia

The following are scribbles from my actual travel journal...

October 8th- I don't know what made me book a ticket to Portland, I guess it was that craving, that lust that those of us bitten by the travel bug eventually have to succumb to.

I recognized the feeling the second that I took a seat on the light rail, the feeling was overwhelming and completely present.  Exploration. Adventure.  Not knowing, yet being completely content.  I met a girl on the train from Denver, Katie, she's in Portland for an acro-yoga festival, she went to CU.  We kept making eye contact, she had the smile that those on an adventure wear.  I liked her, she had to get off the train because she figured out she was going the wrong way.  She hopped off with cheers of, "It was nice to meet you, enjoy Portland!"

The train makes it's way deeper into the city; a train employee chases off a clearly homeless and disturbed man, the whole train car breathes a sigh of relief.

We cross the river, we stop by a tavern and a nice looking man raises a window shade from inside the restaurant and he immediately starts taking chairs off tables.  It's his routine, this is where he lives, this is where he works.  

I come to my stop and get off dragging my suitcase behind.  I am instantly aware that I don't know where I am going as all the other commuters bustle around me.

I plug the address of my final destination into my phone, knowing that this will drain what's left of my battery.  And I begin to walk.

I come across the most beautiful park.

Autumn is here in Portland.  You can feel it in the air, the chill at the end of your nose.  It's there in the way the smell of smoke is sticking to smokers clothes, you can see it in the colors and the varieties of leaves littered across the path.  

Across the park is the cafe my friend suggested. 

I enter.  It is warm... and cozy.  A corner table opens right near the window.  I tuck my suitcase in the corner, set some things on the table to claim it as my own and head to the counter to place an order for a pesto chicken panino and a large latte.

I get back to my table, pull my notebook out of my suitcase and start recording my thoughts.  The server sets my food and latte down.  The steam rising from the cup, the notebook, this scratched table... it's so cute, so quaint.  I must instagram this moment.  Right as I'm about to post my picture, my phone dies. Reminding me to be present, that not everything has to be displayed.  Documented, yes... but displayed in the moment for validation... no.

I find an outlet to plug in my phone and I decide that I will stay here, in this cafe, drinking lattes, reading and writing until my phone is charged and my friend gets off of work and finds me and we can take my luggage back to his place.

I'm here.  I'm in Portland.