Sunday, May 24, 2015

Sunday Inspiration

Thinking of a master plan?
I haven't posted in a quite a while and a lot of that has to do with what I've been going through lately.  In the time that I've been absent from the blogging scene I've been through so much and I finally feel like I'm getting back to being happy...not that mask that I put on every day for the public but honestly and truly happy.   Life is funny (sometimes in the way that's not literally funny).  The best way that I can describe what I've gone through in the past 6 months is like being a beginner swimmer and a strong current sweeps you out into the ocean where there is no land in sight.  You can't gain any footing and wave after wave is crashing into you and you have no idea if they're pushing you out further or if you're getting closer to land.  What's worse is that no one notices.  Scary right?  That was me and I'm sure I'm not the only person in history that's been through something similar so enough of the talk and let's get to how I got out of it.  Actually, it's more like how I got through it.

1.  Realize no one is coming to save you.  As cynical as it may sound it's true in most situations.  I'm not saying that no one will help I am simply saying that you have to work for it and you have to want it.  As John Heywood said, 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink'.  Plenty of people tried to help but I had to want it.

2.  Be aware of yourself.  We all want to be number one but there comes a time where you have to realize that you can't be number one at everything.  We're told that we can be anything we want to be. We should have also been told we can't be everything.  Admit what you're bad at and then focus on what you're good at.  Don't waste your time doing something that you aren't good at.  Don't bullsh*t yourself.

And finally the best advice I received from a friend (and back to the swimming comparison)...


3.  Stop swimming against the current.  What?! What my friend meant is that you're wasting your time.  You're tiring yourself out and getting nowhere.  Eventually you are going to drown so stop.  The mission is not to get out of the situation, the mission is to deal with it, learn from it, and use what you learned when that current gets you to where you are going.


Everything that you go through isn't happening for nothing.  And yes it all does seem to happen at once but why not get all these lessons in at once?  I learned a lot about myself and abilities in the last 6 months.  I'm still learning.  So when you feel like you're at the end of your rope hang on and focus.  You don't win some and lose some. You win some and learn some, but should you not learn your lesson bet on the fact that you will repeat.  I know my post won't save the world but I hope that it at least helps one person that's struggling.  Thank you for reading.



Monday, November 10, 2014

Varekai

Varekai means wherever in the Romany language.  The story of Varakai is a re-imagining of the Greek myth of the Fall of Icarus.  In the story after Icarus falls he lands in a forest of wonderfully strange creatures. His fall itself is particularly spectacular. The creatures are colorful, whimsical and yet strangely organic.  Eiko Ishioka did a beautiful job designing these costumes.
Each act was so precise and exciting. In between acts during  what I assume are costume changes and set rearrangements are small acts of comical relief. My favorite of these acts were Ne Me Quitte Pas.  This act is simply the male clown character lip synching all while chasing the spotlight.  My second favorite act is the Russian Swings. In this act performers are propelled by a Russian swing and from that swing they tumble through the air onto a net. They jump from swing to swing as well. It is in this act that the rousing music begins and it signals the end of the show.
All in all this show is magnificent. If you get the chance to go I would honestly recommend it.  I have a whole new appreciation for the human body and imagination and what they can accomplish together.  Bravo!
Also my son went as well (yep my 3 month old) and he enjoyed it. He eventually went to sleep after about 15 minutes but during the portion that he did see he was thoroughly amused.
 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Review: Garnier Clean + Nourishing Cleansing Oil

Well hello...I know it's been a while since my last post and I really have no excuse except for the fact that taking care of a little person is hard work.
Last week I received a sample of Garnier Clean + Nourishing Cleansing Oil for dry skin.  Now let me say that while I love my all natural cleansers I am open to trying commercial products.  Sometimes you may stumble onto something worth purchasing.
This product claims to 'instantly dissolve impurities and long-wearing makeup with no greasy residue' and in my week long experience I found it to do exactly what it claims to do. I have combination skin and even the oily portions of my face did well. Every time I washed my face I found myself reaching for this product. 
After about a week my friends were asking what I was using and I got numerous compliments on the clarity of my skin. It removed my makeup easily and left my face feeling soft and clean. I plan on purchasing a full sized bottle today since I used the last of my sample this morning. I would absolutely recommend this product to anyone looking for a good cleanser.