Giving Thanks

As is my annual tradition as Thanksgiving comes and goes, I have been reflecting on the many gifts in my life. An incredible friendship with my mom, a loving and evolving relationship with my boyfriend, growing bonds with my brother and dad, amazing friends around the world, an exciting career, and the city of New York as my playground. Good health and happiness are bountiful and like a fine wine, life seems to be getting better with age. This year, I grew particularly thoughtful and thankful for my education.

For years, I have been thanking my parents for the financial and emotional gifts that led me from one great school to another. Their support was unparalleled and without restrictions. What I hadn't considered was the amount of education that took place outside the classroom. I was raised surrounded by literature, music, theater, foreign languages, intellectual conversation, and love. I was asked my opinion and taught to question, encouraged to have unlimited interests and independence. While my formal education put me on the path to building a resume, it was the lessons and confidence that I gained from an intelligent and ambitious family that made me who I am and has carried me through the experiences of my adult life thus far. I realize how blessed I am to have grown up in such an environment and this season, I'm looking into the past and the future as I give immense gratitude and appreciation to my parents.

Undisputed

“Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck leads the flock to fly and follow.” Chinese Proverb

 

(Images via fineartamerica, coyote mercury, charleston gazette)

Cement Signature

I happened upon this sidewalk art on my way to work. It would be just like a little Zoe to create such mischievery...

A Flurry of Fall

Fall and spring are short but sweet in New York City. In the blink of an eye, the bitter cold or relentless heat are upon us. Like many things in the Big Apple, these seasons are extreme, and they make a California girl like me swoon for the calmer months. To me, fall is home. It's crisp, damp, sweet smelling, fire burning, sweater bundling weather, the kind of weather that defines San Francisco, my childhood, many memories.

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn." Elizabeth Lawrence

It's Wish Making Time

In my life, there are many firsts in a year. January 1st, the day a new school year begins, my birthday. Each of these dates marks a new beginning, an occasion for resolutions and goals to be set. On each of these days, I marvel at the year behind me, in disbelief at how quickly it sped by and in understanding of what an impact it had. I love endings; knowing that i put my mind to something, survived, prevailed, had another year full of fun and life. But beginnings are for the imaginative. The unknown, the prospect and promise of a new year, those are the feelings that ready and excite me. On this fine day, when I think of all my life has been, of how many starts I have had, and of the unknown that my family faced many September 14th's ago, I'm excited. For who knows what a new year will offer? I say, bring it on.

GingeRED

Growing up as a redhead was far from easy. In the land of plentiful blondes and brunettes, I stuck out like a sore thumb. From being called names to being a magnet for unwanted attention from teachers, it was an exhausting life, and not one for which I had much appreciation. To combat this, my mom searched high and low for examples of redheads depicted in a positive light, as many of the stories we read in school and the programs we saw on television showed redheads as everything from class clowns and bullies to ogres and monsters. Books about mermaids, fairies, and angels filled my shelves, and paintings and postcards were tacked to my walls.

As I grew older, and grew into my wild mane of red, I began to develop a deep appreciation for my hair. As much as adolescents yearn to fit in, we all want to possess something that will set us apart. I was born with my unique quality, and wear it everyday. Being a redhead gave me the personality I have today - of resilience, confidence, a little sarcasm and humility. For better, I know what it's like to feel different, even in my tiny bubble of white American living.

Today is Redhead Day, or Roodharigendag in the Netherlands, when all those redhaired gather on the first weekend of September to revel in their color, to be proud and powerful carrot tops. In other words, Love a Ginger Day.

Gotta get me some of these...

Photo credit:  http://mumbrella.com.au/

Cherry Blossom Burst

"Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair..." 

Susan Polis Shutz

Scenes from Central Park Stroll

Rain is most enjoyable for me from indoors. I love to watch rain fall, listen to it pitter patter on the window panes as I stay warm and snuggled inside. I love the feeling of a storm, the sight of a lightning bolt shooting across the sky, the sound of rumbling, grumbling thunder. While there's really nothing like being caught in a summer rainfall - in New York City it is one of the most romantic scenes imaginable - I would prefer to be a rain observer, not participant. However, any nature girl would agree that the effect rain has on the great outdoors is unmatchable. It is one of life's little pleasures to see dew-kissed, leafy trees, vibrant green grass, to know that come spring, gardens will be alive thanks to winter's weather.

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.