A Time for Gratitude

Tis' the season people reflect on their year and plan on their new year. A friend told me the other morning that they were not ready to do year-end reels when I asked for 2008 highlights. The truth is, I can hardly believe this time is here so soon! Yet, it is. This year I dipped my toes in 3 oceans (one of which in two countries!). I watched my goddaughter graduate high school and helped her move boxes into her first dorm room. I stood in the hockey rink where the US beat the Russians in the 1980's Olympic as Tom Petty's "It's Good to be King" played overhead. I ran up the last two flights of the Olympic ski jump singing the Olympic theme and forgot I don't like heights as I pretended to prepare for the three beeps before pretending to launch off (that was fun!). I made friends around an Adirondack bonfire, surfed in Costa Rica, taste my first special brownie, introduced a Tibetan, a Peruvian and Indian to the tradition of toasting the sunset after a great conversation and cocktail. I walked through ancient ruins and spent the night on a sailboat. I even learned I have a singing voice. Trust me when I say no one was more surprised than me!

As I think forward to an even more amazing year ahead, I have to say good-bye to this year and to this blog. Three blogs have become too complicated and I am working on transparency. It's time to combine all of my passions into one simple location. After the first of the year, you can read the crazy thoughts, follow Peace in the City yoga and fitness news, and photography all at: http://peaceinthecity.wordpress.com

Happy holidays and an abundant 2009.

"Good morning and welcome home."

Future Generations, Class Three with the Dean and Future generations Peru staff and Regional Minister of Health

Surf Lessons, Lima

Walking towards the coldest water ever!

Roughly 32 seconds before I was submerged in a wave so cold it took my breath away. Surfing is hard enough with breath. I promptly left the water, dried off and watched my pal Atul. His first time swimming in an ocean, he surfs. Those Indian indians are crazy mother-(bleep)!

Rosaries

St. Francis Cathedral, Lima. All those black dots are birds. The whole place was full of birds. It was as if they knew it was St. Francis' place. Crazy!

National Cathedral, Lima

(L to R) Joy, Kristen, Lham, Digi, Wendy

Market

Day in the park

Mmmmmm...mango

Food as art

Daniel Taylor and Gil


Reinforcement for vegetarians.

"Best ceviche in the world"

Tour boat captain

Atul, first time on the ocean.

La Punta, Peru

That was the greeting in customs. It's always hard to know if it's good to be home, particularly after a spectacular experience and incredible country such as Peru. If you ever think of going to Peru, for God's sake see other places in addition to Cusco and Machu Picchu. It is such a diverse country and the people get nicer each place you go!

Beyond the wonderful travel experiences, I finally have a little better answer to the question, "So, what are you going to do with this degree?" We spent the last week processing through our community work. It was exciting to to take a crazy idea and see that it is possible and hear so many other ideas for how to do it. I know I will be in Phoenix a little longer than I had hoped post graduation (I am sure my mom and yoga students will be pleased), but I think it will be worthwhile. As my counterpart from Uganda says, "Nothing is impossible".

beach (photos)

Alex and I

Dog watching his master, wanting to join in the water. The man in front is not the owner and getting a little freaked out by this dog's behavior. She looks like Savannah!

"Okay, so see how that wave is coming in? Wait for it. Wait for it. Okay! PADDLE, PADDLE, PADDLE, UP!!!"

lovers on the beach

Alex. I loved the wall, window, his skin and t-shirt matching so perfectly.

Atul and I. Ocean is to the left of us.

Poets and beer

The police here in Lima have big meatball Rotties as partners. Couldn't ask for a better one! This boy was only 8 months old and named Chico.

The lady behind Atul was beautiful and about 9 months pregnant. I love this shot!

Yeah, still can't get an answer for this odd behavior. Maybe Peru's version of drag queens?

sunset

Raven on cross

a day at the beach

I can say that in March I swam in the Carribean, August walked through the Pacific Ocean in California and then dipped my toes in Rhode Island's Atlanic Ocean, then today, walked through Peru's Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, I shared today's experience with Atul, who saw the ocean for the first time in his 39 years of life! He says of his experience, "Man is nothing before nature; you feel very small, like your presence is nothing!" As we walked and looked at the water, the people, the beach, my soul breathed. Blissful, perfect is how I would describe it. Alex wanted us to swim but it's just too cold for me. Unless there is a wetsuit and surfboard, I am not interested. We had a beer on an upper veranda, overlooking the ocean. A man sang, off key. I introduced myself and he said when I have taken the fruit of life, I should join him and sing, too. I was inspired to take many pictures and even write two poems.

"Barranaco"

Songs, birds and waves
join together in a symphony
Lovers and friends laughing
add harmony
Glasses clink in 'salud'
a punctuation mark
Effervesce, my feelings
bubble to the surface
The dun smiles upon us
happy, as I, in this perfection