Happy New Year!

Our first day of 2011 involved a lot of mimosa, yummy brunch (I made popovers for the first time! And they were pretty tasty!), a couple friends, Trivial Pursuit and Wii.

So, today, clearly, we need a little recovery. We're all cuddled up in our post-Christmas present to each other: a new Maple Falls Duvet cover from Anthropologie! Christian's had his eye on it for a while and thankfully it went on sale. Normally, I try to steer him away from the plaid housewares but this duvet is super cute.

Señor Kitty Paws also enjoys it very much. See?

Reverb10 #8

#8 Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful.

People think I'm funny. And, to be perfectly honest, I think I'm funny too. When I was younger, very often my humor wasn't fully appreciated. Even now, somethings are only funny in my head. But, my sarcasm and biting wit do produce laughs on a regular basis.

I have very little ability to hide what I really think of people. While this may be a drawback sometimes, it's also a plus because anyone I like knows that I really like them and I'm not just blowing smoke up their booty. Mostly because I'm almost totally incapable of doing that.

I have an appreciation and cultivation of Target products that surpasses a majority of the world's population.

I don't know how different these things make me but I think they make me pretty darn beautiful. In addition to my long, long lashes, of course ;)

Reverb10 #7

#7 Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

Planning our wedding I met some really great friends online and my friendships with some of them have blossomed in 2010. Before this, I had never made friends through online forums. Now, I'm so happy I have. They've been a huge support system, especially this past year with all the change going on.

Also, I've formed some really great friendships at my job.

I feel like as you leave school and get older it seems harder and harder to make new friends and develop new networks/communities. Given that (I've definitely experiences), I'm so thankful I've found these two new communities that pick me up on a daily basis.

Reverb10 #6

#6 Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

The last thing I made was Frito Pie for dinner last week. I used Fritos (clearly a necessity for the Frito Pit), canned chile, cheese and avocado.

I really want to make a snood AKA one of those scarves that are so trendy right now that just slip over your head. I could work on it while watching TV but I really need to learn how exactly to do it. I know how to do a basic knit stitch (which all of my loved ones were happy to discover a couple Christmases ago when they all received very simple scarves as presents) but I don't know how to purl or how to make something one continuous connected piece like you have to do for a snood.

I always think I'm going to take some knitting lessons but that's yet to happen. For now, I think my best bet for getting a snood is asking Santa.

P.S. This prompt came from Gretchen Rubin. She's the author of The Happiness Project. A.maz.ing book. Get it. Read it. Check out her blog.

Reverb10 #5

#5 Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?

I let go of my inability to quit something this year. I quit my old job. It was really hard for me because I've always seen everything through to the end (even law school, which I wasn't crazy about). It was tough for me to realize that as an adult (still not totally cool with being one of those), sometimes you will quit jobs and you will move on from things. And that, is OK. And it's totally necessary. And it doesn't make you a bad person.

I'm also trying to let go (or at least lessen) some of the high expectations I have for myself.

Reverb10 #4

#4 Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

Honestly, I'm not sure.

The cat? I'm in constant wonderment at how she can be incredibly cute and snuggly looking and at the same time a total hellion.

Yeah, that's all I've got for this one. Maybe I should think of this and work on it in the new year.

Reverb10 #3

#3 Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).

October 2nd
Uchiko
1st wedding anniversary dinner with Christian

I'm so happy we moved to Austin. Beyond happy.

But, the first six months were tough. I was adjusting to a new job. Christian was busy establishing himself with clients here in Austin, which was especially hard during the summer slow months. Money was tight. Stress was high.

Our 1st anniversary was the first time we got to go out for a really nice dinner since moving here. It was an amazing night. It was the start of a turnaround for us. It was a celebration of the best day of my life and the first year of being married to my favorite person in the world. And it all took place in a beautiful restaurant eating one of the best meals of my life and enjoying just enough yummy sake to highlight all the joy that night celebrated.