Posts
February 8, 2010 10:40 am
Taken @ 10:22 am EST
Oh, don’t look so shocked – anyone could guess that today’s photo would be of my book manuscript. At only 15,000 words, it is quite short compared to the average non-fiction book (40,000-60,000), but that was the point. Ready to edit, I’m both eager and queasy. I’ve read a lot about this stage of book writing and I’m uber-thankful that my word count is so small. 
Though I don’t anticipate landing on the NY Times bestseller list, writing my first non-fiction book is nothing short of a dream come true. I have many other book ideas in mind (non-fiction, essay, short story … ), but let’s take it one thing at a time.
I write for 2 reasons: to help people by sharing my knowledge and to openly express myself. 27 Things to Know About Yoga is a great blend of those two goals. I’m ready and willing to promo this book as much as possible: traveling, interviews (phone & e-mail), book store signings, yoga studio visits, guest blogging … you name it!
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
10:14 am
The past 6 weeks have been a crazy blur of research, e-mails, and writing, writing, writing! I would have posted more blog updates about the process, but there just wasn’t much to say. I wrote the book for an hour or two each weekday morning, going step by step. Having the organized time line and specific schedule made the process immensely easier!
Looking at the printed manuscript of nearly 15,000 words (waiting to be edited), there are numerous emotions buzzing around my mind: joy, love, trepidation, curiosity. This has been an amazing journey … and it is just starting! Having the first draft finished is a huge sigh of relief & a marker for the beginning of the editing phase. After that, book design and ever-important promotion. Bring it on!
Mon 2/8: SEND manuscript to yoga teachers for accuracy review & EDIT!
Tues 2/9: EDIT!
Wed 2/10: EDIT!
Thurs 2/11: WRITE author bio & acknowledgments
Fri 2/12: ADD quotes from interviews & EDIT!
Sat/Sun 2/13-14: relax – get a massage or pedicure & enjoy V-Day with the hubby!
Mon, 2/15: FULL MANUSCRIPT DUE!
You can be sure all you rockin’ fans & blog readers will be the FIRST to know what the book looks like, when it hits the shelves, & what my promo tour schedule will be. Stay tuned!
February 7, 2010 10:32 am
Taken @ 1:28 pm EST on Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Remember this “little dude“. Now 5 months old, he’s not so little anymore (as big as his mama & still growing)! He’s a lot more confident around strangers and enjoys being petted. Something about him … I don’t know how to explain it. When you see him, you stop for a few seconds, staring at him.
This all sounds very strange, like I’m describing a human or something (haha). But just look at him. I bet you stopped scrolling when you saw the picture. Something about him is captivating. I wish you could feel his presence – he’s special … familiar …
Side note (maybe even related): If you’ve never listened to “I’m Already There” by Lonestar, you should. Just heard it again after years & it still makes me cry.
Taken @ 9:52 am EST on Sunday, February 7th, 2010
“A clean house is the sign of a boring person.”
(or, even better)
“There may be dust in my house but there isn’t any on me.”
I do the dishes regularly, along with picking up dust bunnies at random, with once-a-week laundry & kitty litter change. Otherwise, I rarely clean – by choice. Life is far too interesting to waste a huge chunk of it wiping stuff down. Of course, I wipe down the kitchen counters if something spills and scrub the toilet when it needs it.
I’m not a slob by any means; you’d find me to be quite organized, and maybe that is why I don’t need to clean often. I have no weekly cleaning schedule. Simply tidy things as they need it. Otherwise, spend your time doing something you actually want to do. No matter how much you clean, you’ll get sick & there will be more dirt, dust, and grime. Let your immune system do what it was grown to do – kick ass. 
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
February 5, 2010 11:13 am
Taken @ 10:47 am EST
Treat every step like your first.
That excitement, that anticipation, that fright – don’t let it fade as the days disappear.
Will the sun shine on your soul? Will the rain soak your dreams? Who knows, but don’t let life pass you by. Cry when the tears well up in your eyes. Love like you’ll never love again. Laugh when you feel joyous. Run after your dreams.
Less than a decade ago, I had social anxiety so crippling that I couldn’t open the front door to go to the mailbox. No job. No friends. No future. No present. My life was being wasted while I did nothing but take up space.
What happened? I pushed back. Have you ever had a fight with yourself? I would experience that daily. A constant loop of negative internal feedback. I didn’t just hit the stop button – I picked up the recorder and threw it against the wall. I wanted to be healthy, I wanted to smile, and the only one who could make that happen was me. Nothing changed overnight, but the past 7 years have been the most memorable of my life. I consciously jumped out into the light and ran back into the shadows … over and over until the shadows no longer existed.
My trepidation still rises from time to time, but I haven’t had an anxiety attack in nearly 2 years. This is one of my most immense achievements. When was the last time you surprised yourself?
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
February 4, 2010 11:50 am
Taken @ 11:19 am EST
Have we met?
Life continues to dumbfound me. I am by no means the same person I was 8, 5, or 3 years ago. Just the past year has been an immense period of growth for me. I barely recognize myself in the mirror. My skin is clear, my eyes sparkle again, my body is more toned each week … my soul sings again.
Why? A collection of things, I’m sure: falling in love with my husband all over again; becoming more comfortable in my own skin; going off my psychological medication; simplifying my skin care routine; eating more whole foods; maintaining an exercise & yoga routine; buying a wardrobe that actually fits; watching less TV; reading less mass media/celebrity BS; spending more time with my mum; writing my first non-fiction book; taking more photos; growing more comfortable with my father’s death; practicing patience; … and most recently … returning to singing.
It’s pretty well known that I’m a creative addict: writing, photography, sewing, knitting, modeling, painting, cooking, baking … I dabble in it all. I plan on taking my first ceramics class this year too – see, I’m a glutton for punishment too (or maybe just mental clutter).
Before I wanted to be an actor (age 12). Before I wanted to be an architect (age 8). Before I wanted to be a writer (age 6). Before I learned how to read or write (age 3-4). Before all that, I sang. All of my creative pursuits are a great example of how emotionally-intense my soul is. Everything I do is just another way to express my internal passion, curiosity, hurt, and happiness. Singing was the start of it all.
I sing in the car, I sing in the shower – I’m singing right now while I write this! Maybe one day I’ll go to a karaoke bar & let loose. Maybe one day I’ll make my own album. The future continues to surprise me.
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
February 3, 2010 10:25 am
I was first introduced to the illustrative work of Tracy Walker in 1,001 Pearls of Yoga Wisdom from Chronicle Books (one of my all-time favorite publishers). Her style is pleasantly modern but with a complex simplicity that is a bit hard to describe … but very easy to appreciate:
Unfortunately, Tracy doesn’t keep a blog or have an online store with prints … but maybe we can convince her otherwise.
[Images courtesy of Tracy Walker & i2i Art]
9:43 am
Taken @ 9:15 am EST
“Care to share a spot of tea?”
Yes, I know these are espresso cups, but I don’t drink anything made from coffee beans. Why do I have an espresso set? Simple – it’s not mine. My mum buys the most random things, and this set of espresso mugs and saucers happens to be a perfect example of that. She does like espresso & we randomly found these while unpacking some of her storage space boxes.
At first sight, the two mugs don’t seem to match at all (made by Konitz – they have a US Online Shop!). They do have one thing tying them together – Austria. The red & white mug is based on the Austrian flag. The bottom of the mug includes a nifty description: “Austria 1191: flag from a legend. White: war uniform of Duke Leopold V. Red: his blood shed in war.” The other set has a saucer printed with roses, birds, butterflies, and infant angels. The mug has a picture of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the world’s most infamous Austrians.
My mum, her fiance, and I visited Austria in 1999. Though I was still an obnoxious teenager, that was the most memorable trip of my life. I coo about how amazing Vienna is to my husband & every European that I meet in America does the same. I am long overdue for a visit …
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
February 2, 2010 2:09 pm
Taken @ 1:52 pm EST
Never underestimate the power of shoes.
I’m 5′9.5″. My husband is 5′6″. As a result, I rarely feel the need or desire to wear heels. Of course, there are always exceptions 
Before today, the only pair of heels I owned were cognac-colored boots from J. Crew. Now, my shoes for Valentine’s Day have arrived. I’m wearing them to break them in, though they are already quite comfortable. I’m a sucker for the t-strap style; maybe because of my dancing background?
So, I rarely wear heels … but now I am. Also, I rarely buy ANYthing gold (my skin looks better with silver) … but the shoes are gold. Never be afraid to step outside your comfort zone! A little change is good for us all.
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
February 1, 2010 10:14 am
Taken @ 9:48 am EST
“Take 2 and call me in the morning.”
Don’t you miss the days when doctors made house calls? Now that is customer service!
By the way, I’m not sick, but I am head-over-heels in love with my husband. I’ve ordered a special outfit for Valentine’s Day & he’s made reservations at a restaurant we’re both yearning to try. The dress has already arrived (it fits like a dream!), the shoes come today, and the lingerie is on its way. With him leaving for boot camp in just 5 months, every moment with him is precious.
These tiny Siberian roses remind me of the 3 fantastic years we spend in San Francisco. They are meant to be used for tea, but the rose water makes a great face toner, or simply eat the flower buds. When was the last time you had a good cup of tea?
[Image taken by Victoria Klein; fabric by Lara Cameron]
January 31, 2010 1:29 pm
Taken @ 10:54 am EST on Saturday, January 30th, 2010
After yesterday, I couldn’t help but be more appreciative of the two main men in my life: my husband, Logan, and my cat/baby, Monster.
Monster likes to be held like a baby and petted or scratched. We both hold him that way from time to time, but for some reason, Logan is better at it. Monster stays in his arms much longer, sometimes even falling asleep. On the other hand, Monster loves to curl up in front of my stomach while I take a nap.
I caught this particular photo just before Logan & I headed out to do laundry & hang out with my step-father. It’s a perfect example of how important it is to slow down and really enjoy the little moments in our lives.
Taken @ 12:37 pm EST on Sunday, January 31st, 2010
Years ago, I ordered a few pieces of Japanese fabric on Etsy, which I still haven’t done anything with. Yearning for a new photo background, I pulled out the fabrics this afternoon and captured pieces of my favorite chocolate bar in all their glory. I really like the look of the fabric and the angle of the shot, but since I shot this in direct sunlight, I got some nasty shadows.
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
