#Reverb10 - Day 18

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December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)

In 2011, I want to try a LOT of new things: a new job, belly dancing, pottery painting, vacations, focus on me and family.

In 2010, there were lots of things I wanted to try, but let work get in the way. Gosh, I sound like a broken record and sometimes I wonder if I just use that as a crutch or excuse, but I will say with absolute honesty that this year was a crazy, overwhelming year for work. The first 1/2 was busy with me doing the job of 2 attorneys and the second 1/2 was busy trying to recover. It generally left me exhausted by the end of each day. I just can't continue to do this.

#Reverb10 - Day 17

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December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

The best thing I learned is how much I need my creative side. I say this every year, but the different things I've done - visiting Paris, creating a Paris scrapbook, visiting museums - combined with the day to day things in my non-creative life have shown me that I really need to do something about this. Seriously. I'm at the crossroad I knew was coming this time last year, and it's time to move forward. In moving forward, it's going to be important for me to create a life where creation happens.

#Reverb10 - Day 16

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December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

Probably my friend who so generously took me to Paris this summer. Yes, she paid for our flights and hotel; I just had to bring eating and shopping money. Having a friend bestow that level of generosity was unprecedented. Having a friend care enough about me to pick the one city in the entire world that I dreamed about as our getaway was unbelievable. That trip sparked a level of inspiration in me that I haven't really had in a long time. It made me feel like I could do anything - that I needed something more. And, you know, I was absolutely right. The turn of events at the end of this year confirmed that for me. It's time to move on and my friend helped kick start the way.

#Reverb10 - Day 15

December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)

Paris - the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, restaurants, Notre Dame, shopping, beauty, good friends

Work - stepping up, taking over a non-profit, having amazing success with another non-profit, learning the hard lesson that what I've given so much up for wasn't meant to be, learning how to respond to rejection

Personal - unfortunately, not a lot to remember because this is what I gave up as I worked for something that was not meant to be

#Reverb10 - Day 14

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December 14 – Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

Family and friends - It's a cliche, but I oftentimes get so selfishly bogged down with work issues that I forget about the valuable friends and family in my life. But, my immediate circle are awesome! And I need to do more to show them how much they mean to me.

#Reverb10 - Day 13

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December 13 – Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

My next steps for 2011 are to actively find a new job - one that is what I want to do and not simply what is available, find my place in the new and growing local yoga community, and create.

#Reverb10 - Day 12

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December 12 – Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

Probably the time I felt the most integrated with my body was in the months leading up to Paris. I was exercising daily, walking my dogs, and I felt so fantastic. I hadn't had that regular and consistent of an exercise practice probably since college. Unfortunately, I kept it up until about a month after my Paris trip and then slid into slothdom. It's time to change that (hopefully, for good!).

#Reverb10 - Day 11

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December 11 – 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

1. Limited time with friends and family
Plan: Schedule time

2. Lack of yoga and general exercise
Plan: Schedule at least 1 yoga class and 1 general exercise class per week

3. Too much unhealthy food
Plan: Eat supper at home during the week

4. Messy, cluttered house
Plan: Clean regularly; constantly eliminate things that do not serve a purpose

5. The extra weight I've gained over the past 2 years
Plan: Regular exercise, walking dogs, etc.

6. Work drama
Plan: New job

7. Lack of personal time
Plan: Eliminate the extras that no longer serve my purpose

8. Lack of romantic time with sweetie
Plan: Schedule 1 date night a week

9. Budget issues
Plan: Create a budget for 2011 and stick with it

10. Being overly sensitive
Plan: Tell myself to respond, not react; do not take things personally

11. Fear of taking leaps
Plan: Take the leaps - remember the things I regret not doing 10 years ago and make the next 10 years the ones I want to remember

#Reverb10 - Day 10

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December 10 – Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)

The wisest decision I made this year was to interview for the job promotion that became available at the end of this year. I did not get the answer that I expected, but it told me what I needed to know and that is going to help me in whatever decisions I need to make for 2011.

#Reverb10 - Day 9

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December 9 – Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)

Sadly, nothing comes to mind for this year in the traditional sense - no weddings, birthday parties, Christmas parties. However, in a broader context, the most mind-blowing social gathering I went to this year was the Texas Renaissance Festival. I've wanted to go for years, and finally got to go this year during the Thanksgiving break. It was unbelievable how big it was and how much thought went into the booths, food, music, costumes. It was unbelievable and I can't wait to go back (complete with costume)!

#Reverb10 - Day 8

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December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)

I'm silly, girly, prissy, and love ultra-conservative, ladylike fashion (pencil skirts, pearls, scarves, and a Kelly bag? Yes, please!!). Some are surprised that I am a lawyer because I'm actually a "real person." I take that as a compliment - despite working in a non-creative environment, I always make the time to find a creative outlet and make things special. Just think of me as a ray of sunshine! :)

#Reverb10 - Day 7

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December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

Currently, my community is through work, and this year even that has been a challenge for me to maintain. Typically, when things get hard, I tend to retreat, which is exactly what I did this year. But, 2011 is going to be a year of beginnings, and that includes creating a community, and one outside of work. Finding people who are creative, love yoga, and love trying new things is not so easy in my neck of the woods, but there are emerging outlets and I plan to do what I can to meet the type of people (non-work related people) who inspire me.

#Reverb10 - Day 6

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December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

The last thing I made were French macarons! I'm sensing a theme throughout my responses, but, yes, I have been obsessing with macarons since I returned from Paris. For months, I told myself I would learn to make them myself. 6 months later, I remained true to my word and now I'm known by my co-workers and friends as a French gourmand in training. As someone who rarely finds (or makes) the time to cook, this was a momentous thing for me. Given how inspiring France is to me, and the reality that I cannot travel to France each year, finding ways to bring French inspiration home is going to be an important challenge in the coming years. I heart macarons!

#Reverb10 - Day 5

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December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

Wow, this is a painful one. I think I have just started the process of letting go of something - I'm just not 100% sure what yet. Is it my current job? Is it being an attorney? Is it my community? I truly feel that something is about to give way and I'm feeling my mind and heart starting to give way and open up to a new way of looking at things. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but something is changing.

#Reverb10 - Day 4

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December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

Hmm...I think this answer is pretty much the same as the last one - Paris. Amazing. Period. When I need inspiration, I just think about Paris or anything French. I have no idea why I am so obsessed with this country, but it always brings out the inspired, creative, and thoughtful parts of myself.

#Reverb10 - Day 3

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December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

For me, it should go without saying, the day I visited the Eiffel Tower. In so many ways, it was just another typical tourist trap, but looking past the crowds and the tacky souvenir vendors, I was able to feel the magic I feel whenever I see a picture of La Tour! Really, my entire trip to Paris was absolutely magical. The buildings, the history, the beauty, the people, the air, the food, the freedom, everything about Paris was a dream. When I returned, my level of inspiration had never been so high. And even though I'm tired and slightly forlorn, I still feel that magic 6 months later.

#Reverb10 - Day 2

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December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)

Um, I don't write often enough. The first half of this year, I was completely absent from the blogosphere, and since then, I'm lucky to write once a month. A lot of that has to do with my job, of course. Some aspects of work, I obviously cannot eliminate, but I do take on more work than I'm required to. I've been spending the past several days really contemplating what work extras I can eliminate so I can focus on those personal extras that I always, always neglect. Given how this year ended for me at work, I'm more committed to this than I think I have ever been.

#Reverb10 - Day 1

Ok, everyone seems to be participating in this, and I think it's a pretty fabulous idea for winding down the year and preparing for 2011. So, in typical moi fashion, I'm starting late, but here it goes:

December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)

"Draining" - It was a little difficult to find the right word to describe 2010. Some of the best and worst things happened this year, and right now I'm completely exhausted. We were short-staffed at work for over 3 months, which meant I had double duty, I became president of one of the non-profits I'm on, I went to Paris for the first time with my BFF, my sweetie lost his job but fortunately found a new one, and the year ended with me getting passed over for an important promotion at work. Looking back, it was a pretty crazy year and, honestly, I'm glad it is over.

For 2011, I'd like to have a year of "beginnings". Whether in my personal life, professional life, or both, I'm hoping for some inspiration and new things for 2011.

french macarons

I posted about this months ago, but I FINALLY made the time to create a little Paris at home via French macarons! Anyone who has been to Paris knows that these are a hot commodity, and rightly so. Contrary to the coconut cookies that they are often confused with, macarons are delightfully tasty sandwich cookies whose varieties are limited only by your imagination.

At work, we had a cookie swap and I figured this was as good a time as any to try my hand at this special cookies. If you're looking for a quick way to churn out 96 cookies (which is how many I had to make), these are definitely not the cookies for you. But, if you want to make something really special that will get you noticed, then these are it! There are a ton of recipes and antidotes all over the Internet, but it really is just trial and error to find out what works best for you and your oven.

Below, are pics from my first 2 attempts at making macarons - these are chocolate peppermint - yum!



The macaron batter with green food coloring.



The finished product!



The cookie box I made for each cookie swap participant!



My office Christmas tree complete with macaron box.



My second go-round this week. These turned out even better than the first try. Yea!

A Bad Day

Today was a bad day. The thing I've waited over a year for did not happen. And now the hard process of deciding where I go from here begins.