Winter's Calling

"As I look around me a bright sky i see, and a shadow beside me. Six more weeks of winter it will be!"

Punxsutawney Phil, Groundhog's Day 2010

Resolutions of 2010

1. Value the reaches of communication

While in my hometown for the holidays, I was reminded just how blessed I am to have such incredible friends and family. Their proximity to me changes often, sometimes by over 3,000 miles of separation, but the bonds remain strong. I have always prided myself for being a part of relationships in which many months and many miles can stand between us, yet nothing changes. However, I realized that because of how much I love and appreciate these people, I should be in touch with them more, not less. I need to spend more energy connecting with my loved ones, especially those who live far away and with whom I don't spend much time. I am lucky, which is not something to be taken for granted.

2. Rejuvenate my New York love story

Three months after moving to the Big Apple, I had a stiff neck from days spent walking around with my head cranked upwards so as to see all of the beautiful buildings, skylines, and sights. As a summer intern in the fashion industry, everything about New York was romantic. Now, this is my home. Sometimes it's too cold, sometimes it's too hot, sometimes it's too crowded, sometimes I want to be anywhere but here, and lately I've realized that my complaints about New York have outshone my praises. I would like to give the time to reap the benefits of a life in this city, to enjoy the things that are quintessentially NYC, the things that brought me here again and again. In short, to have another stiff neck.

3. Find a hobby, or three

I've been singing this same song for months, yet no hobbies exist in my day to day. I even blog less than a year ago, which makes sense due to the changes that have taken place, but also makes me sad; it is my outlet when I need to close the door and open my mind. I would like to find something that I like to do, just for me, just when the time is right. Be it finally learning to play chess, finally finding that special cafe for short story writing, or finally trying out the growing collection of my mom's best recipes, the jig is up. So when I'm not catching up with my friends or discovering New York, I hope to be hobbying.

4. Take care

As aforementioned, I have some seriously special people in my life. An interesting part about growing up has been to see how old relationships evolve, how new relationships form, and how to balance it all. I am elated to have such a connection with the amazing people in my life, those who make me giggle, make me think, and make me feel intelligent and special in my own way. For these people, I resolve to give myself. I want to be surrounded by those who make me a better person, who make me laugh out loud, and who make me strive to create. For what is life without the people in it? To all of these most favorites of mine, 2010 and I love you.

Oh, What a Year!

The new year is quickly approaching and these days amidst the holidays, work, attempts to stay warm in chilling temperatures, and thoughts about the resolutions of 2010, I have little time to look back on 2009, but what a year it has been. Right now, I'm stuck on today's date. One year ago today, I boarded a plane from San Francisco to New York City, giddy for my New Year's kiss, armed with two overweight suitcases and a plan. As it turned out things didn't exactly go as I had imagined, but as I've learned, the best laid plans are made to be broken. So, as the months went by, I threw out my plan and went forth into the city that never sleeps, from interview to interview, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones, exploring my home one borough and subway stop at a time.

Today, I feel a sense of normal comfort in New York; the city is like the little brother I never had - I love it unconditionally but not without the moments, sometimes days of frustration. I am happy to call it my home and I am proud of the person I have become in the last twelve months, the person that life in New York has called me to be.

In light of the season upon us, in which many glasses are raised and toasts are made, I would like to make a toast to this fair city. Thank you for taking care of me, for letting me fail and rise again, and for always introducing me to new and interesting things. I look forward to greeting you each morning and bidding you adieu each night. To our second year together, New York City, may it be as full.

Susan Smyly
October 16, 1940 - August 14, 2009

All Hallows' Eve

Happy Halloween to all! In honor of this spooky and festive day, I tried my hand at a tasty treat and came away delightfully pleased.


Real Simple's pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Pumpkin replaced the water in the mix, creating a moist, fluffy cake with a hint of spicy pumpkin zest. While the icing called for an eyebrow raising amount of confectioner's sugar, it tasted just right, and the consistency was light and perfectly spreadable. Add a candy corn garnish and voilà! Easy and delicious.

Departures

November 1st: It has been over 2 months since I wrote a blog post, but not without thought about this site. Life has been hectic and full of changes and excitement, and at the end of the day, I don't always have the energy to write. That, I would like to change. In reflecting on possible hobbies, writing is the first, sometimes the only, thing that comes to mind. I find solace in putting pen to paper, surrounded by the sound of inspiration. I strive to be creative and maintain the moments in my crazy life in which I feel collected and in control, moments in which I feel truly like me. To feel like one's true self is not to be ignored, and today, I resolve to continue to do what makes me free.

Renaissance Blogger

"What I think is that Sam Pepys wrote down all the details of his life for nine years because the very act of writing them down made them important, or at least singular." Julie Powell, Julie and Julia

This passage, about a man in 17th century England who wrote in a diary every day for nine years, resonates deep and heartily for a writer. However large or small the scale of one's writing, it is undeniably true that each of us writes because what we have to say is important, at the very least in our own minds. We believe that we have the wit, intellect, voice, or vocabulary to make our stories, fantasy or reality, come alive on a page. What Julie ponders is whether Sam Pepys was the first blogger, though he never shared his work. Would the world have tuned in online each day for nine years to read about his breakfast meal, long day at work, or the remodeling of his porch? I say it all depends on how he writes it. And while my readership is relatively unknown to me, I ask any bloggers who come across my site to dig in and find the best or favorite writer within and share with their community a post that exhibits thoughtful, creative writing. Be it breakfast cereal or last night's dream, make your every day important.