Thankful in the Face of Fear

I'll be walking into the GRE testing center a little later today, biting my nails, sweating that stinky stress sweat...At times like these, I push myself to find the good.

I'm thankful...
...that I have a healthy brain that will still add, subtract, multiply, and divide--even if I haven't asked her to in years.
...those early years of typing "games" in computer lab that make me a swift typist.
...that I don't get wiggly, and can make it through a four hour exam.
...that there is a cut and paste function in the essay word processor.
...that after the test, I'll be swept away by my perfect partner to see my favorite band perform tonight with the company of my wonderful mother.

L

30 days of thanks.

Following the moves of a muse of mine, I'm sharing my thanks in full voice this month on the daily.

Thankful for...

...my mind, and that it works...most of the time.

...puppies and wood stoves and cozy sundays.

...live music that makes my body and soul vibrate.

...callouses on my left fingertips.

...my yoga mat, that is still there for me, even when I ignore her for days.

...HB for passing along the inspiration to write the good things down. 

Sunday night: free write.

I told myself I was going to write every day. So here I am on day two. It's late. Well, I guess "late" is relative. 11:46 PM EST is feeling late these days--so have I officially become "old"? This is mostly going to be train of thought, so you may or may not get to the end.

Things have been funky since I've been spending these long weekends at home in Connecticut. Splitting my time between places throws off my balance a bit. I love living out of the normal routine, but sometimes consistency is comforting and can help make progress more obvious. I guess I'll have to commit to my routine a little more so that I can take it with me wherever I go. Maybe this is obvious? But, nevertheless, something I'm just learning.

I did manage to sneak in a 30 minute vinyasa practice this afternoon with my sister on our back porch--the breeze felt good and so did the yoga.

Future roomies looked at a place up in Mass today -- applying and hoping the gods are in our favor. It's a beautiful place; lots of light, closet space, and there's a little room just for me. I plan on divesting myself of about half of my earthly possessions within the next two months to make space for space.

Looking forward to a great week! My goals are simple: take care of myself & commit to creativity.

What are your goals for this week?


xo,
Lu

Hi, I'm back.

For far too long, I've been using the excuse that not having an internet connection at my apartment is why I haven't been able to keep up with writing this blog. As of now, I'm crossing this excuse off the list and writing in a text document on my laptop in bed--gasp. 

It's been a while since I've come back to this blog, and my about me is seriously dated and in need of a re-write, so bear with me as I make updates and revamp this site. 

What's new with me? I'd be happy to tell you. 

The Stray Birds on 4.25.13

I've seen some pretty great live music lately. Namely, those talented songsters, The Stray Birds at a show at The Outer Space in Hamden, CT. I brought my whole family and two best friends to the show which earned me two shout-outs from the stage! The music was great, as usual, and now my entire family knows why I've been talking about these guys for over a year now.

Sara Bareilles at Toad's Place 4.27.13

A few days later, I was blessed to be in the presence of idol and vocal vixen Sara Bareilles on her Brave Enough Tour solo show at Toad's Place in New Haven. Not only did she tell us funny stories about a youth hostel she stayed in in Amsterdam, but she played a great show and had the whole audience bowing to her vocal prowess by the end of the first song. This was the second time I've heard Bareilles live, and let me say--I much prefer her with one instrument backing her up, you can actually hear her make singing her biotch. 

Apart from the live music, life has been sailing along smoothly. After a disappointment in the job sector, I had but an evening's freakout (involving hot yoga and a large bacon cheeseburger) before moving on to bigger and better projects, one of which I hope to be announcing officially soon! 

I've had a lot shift in the last few months and I feel it has a lot to do with the fact that I've been on the mat at hot yoga on the regular--amazing things happen when you start treating your body with respect. 

Dahlia in bloom!

If you don't mind, I have a few thank-yous to deal out:

Thank you, spring, for making everything burst with life--including me.

Thank you, h&m, for selling the clothes that I want to buy.

Thank you, books, for smelling delicious. 

Thank you, life of lu blog, for always being here to come back to. 

Lastly, I'm gearing up to start a month-long mission to reinvigorate, re-inspire and have a little revolution in myself, to continue this pattern of positive change and growth. I'll be posting weekly (or more often) updates on what I'm doing to cleanse and bring new life into lu. Follow along or come with me for the journey! Little revolutions every day. I'd love to hear your tips on what you do to hit the restart button! 

Upcoming posts to anticipate:

Hot Yoga and how it changed my life. Why you should try a class. 

Music projects.

Vegan recipes.

...and a whole new look for life of lu!

Thanks for stopping by!

xo,

lu

Day tripping and dreaming

Well, it's been a while...

If the first month of 2013 is any indication of the months ahead...I'd say I'm about to have a wonderful year. Since before the year turned, I've felt the gears of change rumbling beneath my feet and I've been letting the wind blow me through to new meaning in this new year.

In the last month I've: eaten a lot of yummy, healthy foods, shared countless silly moments with my little guys, seen old friends, revelled in my independence frequently, made significant progress in playing the guitar (since I scored a beautiful Luna acoustic for Christmas...thanks, Mom & Dad!), played my first solo open mic, sang kareoke for the first time, and have really only done things that make me feel happy and healthy. So good!

Coffee and best friend.

Sitting in my favorite cafe at the moment, The Lady Killigrew that's connected to the Montague Bookmill . My all time favorite destination for a day off in the Pioneer Valley; home of used books, good coffee, and delicious peanut udon noodle salad (mmmmm). As if it could be improved, I'm accompanied by best friend and adventure partner, Frannie. That's her instagram...she is an avid instagrammer and hashtagger and I love her. She's also the future author of award-winning short stories. I love to bring people I love to places I know they'll love--so happy to share the day with Fran.

This place always inspires me and gets my creative juices flowing. The view out the window of the river leads me to daydreaming about future plans. Today, Frannie and I are dreaming in tandem about a bookstore/gallery/coffee&bakery inspired and influenced by all of the favorite places that we love to go. A place where people can sit, read, sip, look, and think. Obviously, the catch is that places like this do exist...so why create another? I guess the task would be to bring this haven to a neighborhood that is lacking it...and so the hunt begins for a location...

Question of the moment: When do your dreams stop becoming dreams and start becoming reality? And what is the first step toward that reality? And if you have different dreams, how do you know which to take to that next step?

Thinking on these questions today. I'd love to know what you (the universal reader "you") think about this.

Time for another mug of coffee.

L