Archive
December 30, 2009 - 10:03 am
I pondered writing an introspective post about the many events of 2009.
I considered writing an ambitious post about the many plans I have for 2010.
Instead, I’m posting the last photos I am taking this year. Next year, I begin my first attempt at Project 365! To say the least, I’m eager to get started. 
The same shade of peonies in my wedding bouquet, with paper sheep that symbolize the hubby & I … but which one of us is the black sheep?
Coming Soon from Nature: Floral Fireworks!
Tis the 1st time the underside of a flower has been more enchanting than the bloom.
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
December 28, 2009 - 10:22 am
Christmas was extra-special this year! I received approval for my book sample the same day that I submitted it (December 23rd). Not much else was included in said approval email – just a straight-forward response, but still a positive one. 
Now that all of the early approval steps have been achieved, it is time for the big show: writing the entire book! As of today, I have 7 weeks (49 days, including weekends) to write no more than 30,000 words covering the 27 “things” I included in my outline.
Taking this project seriously, I created a specific schedule for making my first book a reality:
Mon 12/28: establish schedule, print book elements so far, collect contact info for yoga teachers, & update blog (sample approved & schedule made)
Tues 12/29: contact all yoga teachers (via email)!
Wed 12/30: WRITE TIP #2
Thurs 12/31: enjoy New Year’s Eve!
Fri 1/1: enjoy New Year’s Day!
Sat/Sun 1/2-3: relax, if on-schedule; if not, catch up!
Mon 1/4: follow-up with yoga teachers to make sure they received my email
Tues 1/5: complete any extra research &
Wed 1/6: WRITE #3
Thurs 1/7: WRITE #4
Fri 1/8: WRITE #5
Sat/Sun 1/9-10: relax, if on-schedule; if not, catch up!
Mon 1/11: WRITE #6
Tues 1/12: WRITE #7
Wed 1/13: WRITE #8
Thurs 1/14: WRITE #9
Fri 1/15: WRITE #10
Sat/Sun 1/16-17: relax, if on-schedule; if not, catch up!
Mon 1/18: WRITE #11
Tues 1/19: WRITE #12
Wed 1/20: WRITE #13
Thurs 1/21: WRITE #14
Fri 1/22: WRITE #15
Sat/Sun 1/23-24: relax, if on-schedule; if not, catch up!
Mon 1/25: WRITE #16
Tues 1/26: WRITE #17
Wed 1/27: WRITE #18
Thurs 1/28: WRITE #19
Fri 1/29: WRITE #20
Sat/Sun 1/30-31: relax, if on-schedule; if not, catch up!
Mon 2/1: WRITE #21
Tues 2/2: WRITE #22
Wed 2/3: WRITE #23
Thurs 2/4: WRITE #24
Fri 2/5: WRITE #25
Sat/Sun 2/6-7: relax, if on-schedule; if not, catch up!
Mon 2/8: WRITE #26
Tues 2/9: WRITE #27
Wed 2/10: WRITE author bio & acknowledgments
Thurs 2/11: EDIT!
Fri 2/12: EDIT! (dentist appointment!)
Sat/Sun 2/13-14: relax – get a massage or pedicure!
Mon, 2/15: FULL MANUSCRIPT DUE!
I’ll be posting an update on Friday, January 15th, one month before the manuscript is due. We’ll see how well I’ll be able to stick to the schedule
December 23, 2009 - 10:38 am
Now I can finally sit back & enjoy the holidays! The sample of 27 Things to Know About Yoga has been sent to the publisher, containing a first draft of my introduction & the 1st tip.
Before 2010 arrives, I need to set-up a schedule to help manage my time for writing the book, including interviewing yoga teachers & other yoga book writers … but that can wait until after Christmas.
Next due date: Monday, February 15th, 2010 – the entire manuscript is due!
December 22, 2009 - 9:45 am
How did you spend your Winter Solstice? I had a delightful time with my husband, mum & her fiance. Amidst all of the family frolicking, tree decorating, cooking, & baking, I found time to snap a few photos.
This tiny triptych doesn’t really give justice to the detail in each of the photos, but they look so good all together
Drumroll please … welcome Peanut & Little Dude back to the blog!
Peanut is as gorgeous as ever & a wonderful model in her winter coat.
Little Dude just keeps on growing, now 3 1/2 months old. He’s so lanky & has oddly large paws, accompanied by a super-long tail. We think he’s going to end up being bigger than Peanut, but only time will tell.
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
December 20, 2009 - 7:48 am
Roughly 2 days after our first 2009/10 snowfall arrived, it had all melted away. Thankfully, the snow has returned … and brought some extra!
Taken @ 6:22 am
Taken @ 7:05 am
Unfortunately, we here in northern Connecticut didn’t get nearly as much as folks in VA/DC/MD .. etc. Those lucky buggers.
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
December 17, 2009 - 10:12 am
There are literally hundreds of other blog post ideas waiting for me to write about. The one post I’ve been meaning to write is also the one I’ve been consciously avoiding. This post.
In September, I announced that my husband had decided to join the Marines. We’d been talking about it for months, but by September, I finally agreed to join him on-base during his military career. Now it’s official.
Two weeks ago, he took his mental & physical tests. He passed with flying colors and, therefore, signed his contract with the Marines. He also received his ship-out date for boot-camp: June 1st, 2010.
By this time next year, my husband may have already shipped out to a foreign country. With just 7 months left (technically, 6.5) to enjoy his company, this holiday season has become all the more special. He will be at boot-camp during both of our birthdays next year (June 11th & July 7th, respectively), but we will have the pleasure of sharing our 1-year wedding anniversary together (May 12th). We also plan on taking our honeymoon during the last week of May, right before he leaves for 3 months of physical & mental challenges in South Carolina.
As an Eastern spiritualist, I believe that every element is part of one whole. You can’t have smiles without tears. You can’t have sunshine without rain. You can’t have peace without war. A bit of yin & yang, if you will. I have my own theories has to how we could have more peace on planet Earth, but I’m not naive enough to think that the human race could suddenly cease fighting permanently … at least not anytime within the next few hundred years.
While I have a bit of faith left in humanity, we must remember that we are not that far removed from our cave-dwelling ancestors. Our biology still runs on fight-or-flight, live-or-die responses, & having conflict with those different from us is a natural part of that. Can we advance as a species to change this simple fact? Of course, but that takes time, & science can’t (safely) rush that.
Do we all have to fight every day? No, but we can’t be ignore that some of our fundamental differences can seriously impede the happiness & success of others. I don’t agree with what we are doing in the Middle East, but I do support my husband’s choice to defend his family & the country that he calls home.
Whether you agree with our current international conflicts, please please remember that these men & women are sacrificing their very lives to help us citizens keep our jobs, homes, & freedoms. Say a heartfelt “thank you” to the next military person you see. You don’t have to agree with their methods to appreciate how their hard work affects your daily life.
Final note: I know that the military is a sensitive subject for many. Please be respective & decent when you choose to comment on this post. The golden rule still applies – if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
December 16, 2009 - 9:51 am
Break out the milk & cookies! The production manager at Turner Publishing has officially approved the outline for my book. And here she is:
Acknowledgments
Introduction [still trying to think of a catchy name]
The “Things”
1. Yoga Defined
2. For One and All!
3. Basic Sanskirt
4. Not a Religion
5. Benefits Galore
6. Pain-Free
7. Simple Supplies
8. Safety First
9. You Are What Your Eat
10. The Teacher Makes the Student
11. Mind Your Manners
12. Keeping Costs Down
13. We are Family
14. More Than Asanas (Poses)
15. Yamas aka Everyday Ethics
16. Niyamas aka Everyday Actions
17. Pranayama aka Nothing Beats a Good Breath
18. Pratyahara aka Withdrawing the Senses
19. Dharana aka Cultivating Concentration
20. Dhyana aka Meditation
21. Samadhi aka Becoming Balanced
22. Come Into the Light
23. Savasana is Significant
24. Put it Into Practice
25. Take a Getaway
26. Yoga Pro
27. Read On
Author Bio (back cover)
You might have noticed that, unlike the original book title of 37 Things to Know About Yoga, I’ve only included 27 “things.” This fact officially changes the tentative title of my book to 27 Things to Know About Yoga (duh).
Next due date: Wednesday, December 23rd for the Sample (Introduction & 1 of the tips)
December 15, 2009 - 10:16 am
The due date for the book sample (yesterday) has come & gone.
The publisher & I are still finalizing the outline, which we can hopefully finish today (or at the very least, the end of the week!).
I assume this means we will be revising the due date for the final manuscript.
More details (& a final outline) coming soon!
December 14, 2009 - 9:37 am
Finally! After launching my Etsy shop in March 2009, I’ve added something new - alert the mayor! Trying to build 2 careers at once (writing + photography) is extremely difficult. Usually, writing wins my attention.
This particular gem was taken on Saturday while my hubby & I relaxed on the couch. I bought 3 peonies from Whole Foods just a few days before. They are nearly identical to the flowers in my wedding bouquet (seen here). I was feeling nostalgic.
Please visit my Etsy shop & take a peak at my newest photo print: Shades of Blush (I hate having to name my photos; everything sounds dorky.) Maybe you’d even like to buy one!
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
December 10, 2009 - 10:37 am
The holiday season is fully upon us. With just 2 weeks until Christmas & 1 DAY until Hanukkah starts, the time for wrapping gifts is now! For both variety and creativity, I like to pick a “wrapping theme” each year. Inspired by an adorable post from Scoutie Girl, my chosen theme for 2009 is relativity simple yet delightfully stylish.
Wrapping paper: Whole Foods brown paper bags turned inside out
Decoration: 4 varieties of colorful baker’s twine (top left) from Etsy’s myfriendamy
Gift Labels: hand-stamped & beautifully-detailed peace reindeer manila tags (top left) from endofthedaycrafting
Both sellers have a fantastic selection & offered wonderful customer service that I won’t soon forget. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed wrapping presents this much!
[All images courtesy of myfriendamy]
