It was hot. In fact, it had been hot in Shenzhen for the past two weeks. The kind of hot and humid weather that makes you start sweating the moment you go outside. The kind of hot that makes your body feel weak and tired. It was Saturday. Normally, we’d sleep in and have a […]
The day I learned to paddle a dragon boat Read More »
Our brains naturally gravitate toward routines. We like patterns. It makes life easier, which leaves more energy for non-routine things, like navigating to a new destination or solving a complex problem. When Martin and I decided to embark on a traveling adventure, I desperately wanted to break out of my routines, some of which I
The Allure and Trap of Routines Read More »
I start my new job tomorrow. Granted, it’s just training week, but I still have to get dressed up and be somewhere specific for 8 hours continuously. And someone will pay me to do that. Martin and I landed in China nearly a week ago. One week in travel time can be a lifetime. One
Welcome Home: Shenzhen, China Read More »
It’s no secret that I love the Minnesota State Fair. Yet, I was a little nervous to return to the fair after traveling this past year. My perspective on the world has changed and I wasn’t sure how the fair would look with my new set of lenses. The fair was different for me this
Rediscovering the Minnesota State Fair Read More »
After visiting the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, I became inspired to create more intimate photographs through extreme close up shots. Coupled with my intense focus on everything subtle during the recent meditation course, I wanted to put together a series of photographs that captured more than just a sweeping landscape. The International Rose Garden
Portland’s Rose Garden – Georgia O’Keeffe Style Read More »
The rules were strict. We turned in our car keys, our cell phones, and they locked the gate. The schedule was grueling with at least 10 hours of meditation every day starting at 4:30 a.m. and concluding at 9:00 p.m. All meditation was to be done either in the meditation hall or in your room.
Learning to Love Vipassana Meditation Read More »
We walked to the beach to watch the sunset, and then we saw the horse. Martin made friends with Niño and discovered it was only $5 to ride him down the beach. I was sold. That’s how I ended up riding a horse into the sunset on Playa El Tunco in El Salvador. Day made.
Ride into the Sunset Read More »
Over our morning Americano, I said to Martin, “I think I’m having an existential crisis.” Martin responded simply, “It’s about time.” I was feeling restless and anxious, which came out as anger and impatience. We were in Antigua, Guatemala. Martin was basking in the bright blue sky and the beautiful ruins and the delicious cafes,
I don’t like to acknowledge this – My brother’s death in 2002 changed me. Sometimes I think that if I don’t admit how it changed me, then maybe it didn’t happen. But it did happen. And I changed. My brother Ben and I hanging out with our cat. (circa 1985) I had thought that my
Training for a Vibrant Life Read More »
“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” ~ Henri Bergson I fool myself, and then something happens and I’m reminded that nothing remains the same. Everything is constantly evolving into something else. My aunt recently sent me a vegetarian cookbook she picked up at
The Times They Are A-Changin’ Read More »