My 10 10s

I originally ended up with a list with a lot more than 10, but here are the final 10 I will definitely commit to in January:

Eating & drinking

1. Eat 10 raw fruits per week
2. Drink 10 juices of fresh fruit/veggies made with extractor
3. 10 weekend days of 10 glasses of water (2.5 lt) —I can do it, I have been consistently drinking 2 lt a day for the past month
   Moving
4. 10 minutes per day stretching / calisthenics
5. 10 hours of walking per week
6. 10 sessions of cranking the music up and dancing
   Nurturing the body, mind & spirit
7. 10 hours of pampering —my neglected body, skin, and self deserve it
8. 10 hours of The Artist’s Way per week
9. Draw/paint 10 min daily —a vignette in my morning pages
10. Write a 10-word journal entry daily here

See more progress on: January Boot Camp - 10 new successes

Sunset #23

To say goodbye to 2009, I’ll post three views of one of the most striking sunsets the year offered here in Cholula just south of San Andrés. It was taken on November 29 with the view of the dramatic clouds against the Popocatépetl volcano in the background.

There’s some sort of atmospheric disturbance in the distance which gives an unusual reflection of the sun on top of the clouds. The high-voltage towers were in the way of the photo, but I could not get in an angle where they wouldn’t be in the photo, and the sun was rushing down the horizon, so I just decided to include them anyway —better having them in the picture than miss the moment of light. Though the towers are sort of an eyesore and lessens the spectacular natural event, now I think they add a bit of perspective, especially in the close-up shot.

View 1:

View 2:

View 3:

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

My sore throat

begged me to do nothing today. Well, almost. I could’ve lain in bed all day; instead, I put up my hammock in the garden and lay there for at least three hours —it could’ve well been four. The temperature was a perfect 21ºC… ahhhh, the good life! As uncomfortable as my sore throat was, the hammock was quite the opposite. I wrote my morning pages while laying there, and did nothing else: il dolce far niente (the sweet doing nothing).

Uma lay with me for a little while until a couple of firecrackers exploded nearby, and she ran inside the house. Oh well. Afterwards, I watered my plants, so they could begin the year refreshed. It was a nice, relaxing day in my garden to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one :)

See more progress on: spend more time relaxing in my garden

Here we go... yet again

I have set up a weekly painting appointment with myself. I feel quite rusty as I have painted on and off for the past couple of years —after doing nothing for who-knows-how-many-years. I even gave up on this goal, but I’m retaking it, because watercoloring is something that I really love to do.

So I’m following a book right from the beginning to start me up with drawing and perspective and plainly feel the pencil, feel the brush. I hope this time really sticks.

See more progress on: watercolor paint again

Sunset #22

A boy, a woman, and a baby riding/walking up a very cabled street under a hazy sunset.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Sunset #21

A fallen coconut in a puddle reflecting the sunset light.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

How to try "The Pomodoro Technique"

"Focused, efficient, productive."

How I did it:

1. I went to the Pomodoro Techinque website. I downloaded the free pdf and worksheets.
2. I set up two timers in my computer: one for 25 minutes for the pomodoro and the other for 3 minutes for the break (I can always take an extra 2 minutes if I wish/need to).
3. I followed the instructions on the pdf by setting the timer and focusing on the task at hand for each pomodoro. 

Lessons & tips: Instead of the worksheets, I use my Franklin Covey planner. The worksheets are very similar to the technique of the planner, so combining them both works good for me.

Resources: Pomodoro Technique for the free pdf and worksheets.

It took me 3 weeks.

It made me accomplished

See more progress on: try "The Pomodoro Technique"

Very productive technique

After trying this technique for 2-3 weeks now, it has proved quite productive, and I have become more efficient in the task at hand when I’m applying it. I don’t have a “pomodoro timer”, but I use instead the timers in my computer for the pomodoro and for the break.

I will further do more reading into the technique and will go on to use it on a regular basis.

See more progress on: try "The Pomodoro Technique"

Sunset #20

Children playing and running during today’s sunset.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Sunset #19

Flying a kite during today’s sunset.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Sunset #18

Today’s sunset with the silhouette of San Pablo Tecámac Church.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Happy birthday, Lisa! (again)

_{Todd gave me the heads up that I was in the “wrong” goal}

Happy 43!!

I just noticed that we were born 43+1 days apart. How cool is that?* ;)

*PS – I know, I’m a geek :P

See more progress on: On December 25th, send Lisa lots of redbirds, kittycats & awesomeness as she turns 43 on 43T!

Haiku #20

genuine laughter
danced like no one was watching
delightful evening

See more progress on: write haiku on fridays

Sunset #17

Dock in mangrove in Puerto Morelos, Q. Roo.
Taken in early March 2009.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Sunset #16

Sunset light reflecting upon mangrove.
Taken in Puerto Morelos, Q. Roo., in early March 2009.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Day 29: +2 = 31 countries

30. Israel

31. Ireland

See more progress on: Get 43 flags on my 43T flag counter :)

Sunset #15

Sunset in the mangrove of Puerto Morelos, Q. Roo. Taken in early March 2009.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Happy birthday, Tiisi!

I wish you goodness, gladness, abundance, and prosperity in your birthday and in the year to come :)

Cheers!

See more progress on: Toast Tiisi and wish her goodness and gladness on her December 25 birthday

Happy birthday, Lisa!

Hope you had a fabulous and awesome birthday :)

See more progress on: Send Lisa lots of redbirds, kittycats & awesomeness on her fabulous Dec. 25th birthday!

Sunset #14

Yesterday: Christmas Day sunset seen from the north-eastern slope of the Iztaccíhuatl volcano.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Sunset #13

Yesterday: Christmas Day sunset seen from the road from Mexico City to Puebla.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Sunset #12

Yesterday: Christmas Day sunset seen from the road from Mexico City to Puebla.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Happy belated birthday, atinygoat!

I hope you had a wonderful day and that this ecard will inspire you to make your bouquet of paper flowers ;)

See more progress on: Wish atinygoat an organized, creative, adventure filled birthday on December 22nd

Sunset #11

Today’s sunset.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

My one and only broccoli is plagued

After much care, my only broccoli left was invaded with aphids. I’m a bit distraught because of all the effort I put in this garden. Even if I eliminated the aphids, it is not edible. Somehow, the plant grew sprouts overnight, and they’re already turning into flowers! It never really grew the round nice typical broccoli-shaped flower ::sigh::

See more progress on: Spend a little time each day outside in the garden tending to the plants

Happy holidays to all! :o)

To all my 43T friends (and the Robots, too):

See more progress on: wish the robots and all my friends on 43 things a fabulous holiday and a stupendous New Year.

How to send creative holiday greetings to my friends and family this year.

"It's a great way to keep in touch and show you care... at least once a year..."

How I did it: For the background of my card, I crafted a 2D piñata with its traditional decorations.

I photographed it and then added some text in Photoshop. I did two versions: one for my family & friends, and another one for my 43T friends :)

Lessons & tips:

• Start early


• Have all your contacts' info updated


• Email them using the bcc field

Resources:

1. Cardboard


2. Tin foil 


3. Tissue paper 


4. Scissors and glue


5. Holiday music in the background 


6. Camera 


7. Photo-editing software 


8. Email application

It took me 2 days.

It made me cheerful

See more progress on: Send creative holiday greetings to my friends and family this year.

Piñata card done

For this year’s holiday season, for the background for my card, I crafted a 2D piñata with its traditional decorations. I photographed it and then added some text in Photoshop.

Originally, I was going to print the cards and mail them. Since my oh-so-great organizing skills bring me to Dec. 22 —plus the fact that I don’t trust the mail here—, an ecard will have to do. I really wanted to have it ready for yesterday that was the Winter Solstice, but I’ll just send them tomorrow…

See more progress on: Send creative holiday greetings to my friends and family this year.

Glamorous scarf

After three tries, I finally finished my scarf with a couple of skeins of unique yarn that my aunt gave me for my birthday. So in time for the winter season :)

I started with a different pattern two times, but I ended a skein short, and the store ran out of them and won’t have them anymore, so I had to start over again.

It’s 22 stitches on 9mm needles all plain garter stitch. I knitted the whole two skeins but I left some for the loose yarn at the ends.

See more progress on: knit a scarf

Welcome winter :o)

Last night, there were fireworks. Most likely for some saint. But for me, they were the welcoming of the new season.

This new year seems very auspicious as it’s starting just after the new moon ;) , and it is currently a waxing moon. This evening the moon displayed a nice crescent with big bright Jupiter nearby.

I’m very much looking forward for this new year of transformation! :)

See more progress on: Acknowledge and celebrate Winter Solstice 2009

Untitled

A few days ago, I saw my name for the first time on “The world wants to…” section. The funny thing is that it was with a goal that I have given up (!). Although it’s a goal that will eventually get back on my life list in about 5-6 months, it was a bittersweet moment to finally be showcased here but with a non-current goal :S

See more progress on: be showcased on "The world wants to..." section

Sunset #10

Today’s sunset: a close-up of the winter-solstice sunset.

I was running late to go to my regular viewing site, so I asked a neighbor to let me climb to her roof to take some photos. In the distance, there were a group of huge pine trees exactly in the direction where the sun was setting. But the photo came out interesting, as it takes a few seconds to discern whether it’s a sunset or a forest in flames.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Urban barn

I knew that the neighbors behind our house had some hens, ostriches, and other birds. Today, the neighbor beside me let me climb to her roof to see the sunset —she’s the only one with a fixed ladder to reach the roof. Turns out that behind her house there’s an urban barn with cows and all! I could see pigeons, roosters, and lambs, apart from their several dogs and cats. Now it makes sense the foul smells we regularly get in our house. The birds behind us could not be that bad.

It’s incredible what you discover when you climb up above the roofs of the town. Everything here is behind cement walls, so unless there’s an open door when you pass by, you have no idea of the life going on behind it. Of course, the smells should’ve given me a hint…

See more progress on: explore the city i live in

Day 22: +1 = 29 countries

29. Ukraine

See more progress on: Get 43 flags on my 43T flag counter :)

Happy belated birthday, Absnasm!

I hope you had the sparkliest birthday :o)

See more progress on: throw the sparkliest birthday party ever for Absnasm on Dec 19th!

Happy birthday, Mary (un peu tard)

I hope you had a wonderful day :)

See more progress on: Celebrate Mary Hawkins' Birthday on Dec.18th

Starting the preparations for tomorrow

Need to do some more decluttering to receive the new season and the new year. For now, I’m off to my “hometown” The Moon, good place to spend the solstice ;)

See more progress on: Acknowledge and celebrate Winter Solstice 2009

Sunset #9

The silhouettes of the Church of San Pablo Tecámac and of a tree are drawn by the sunset. The Popocatépetl volcano is in the background with an interesting swoosh of clouds. Taken on Dec. 14th.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Decluttering conflict solution

The conflicts I’ve been having in my mind of what to keep and what to discard brings me to what it comes down to decluttering. Volumes have been written about it. The most common suggestions are to separate in boxes of keep, repair, donate, and trash. Also to discard anything that hasn’t been used in the past 3 months, 1 year, 5 years. Another one that says that “if it’s not beautiful or functional, it has to go”.

But recently, somewhere, I came across the mantra of decluttering. I just have to ask myself:
“Does this enhance my life right now?”

Given my particular circumstances for next year, I’ll adapt it to “does this enhance my life right now and/or will enhance it when I move overseas?” I’ll have to remind me of that question every time I face a tough one to let go. If the answer is negative, I know what to do…

See more progress on: 2009: Identify and Rid Myself of 43 Items of Überclutter

Item #8: portfolio

Just like photos and yearbooks, my portfolio is equally hard to declutter. Somehow, I feel they’re like my babies because I put so much work into it. Years later, I still find a few pieces worthy enough, but some of them clearly show the lack of inspiration/motivation I was feeling at the job in question. Maybe I’ll keep two or three of a couple jobs just as an acknowledgment that I worked there. On the other hand, I had a job where I’ll have a difficult task of throwing away anything, as I believe everything —or most of it— I did there is beautiful and very inspired.

The work I did professionally is currently semiorganized in a few artist binders. I have a nicer larger display of the work I did while being a student at the uni. I’m not sure how I’m going to integrate both into just one portfolio, if I should even bother as nobody would care at this point to see the work I did as a student but would be more interested to see my more recent work.

My biggest issue is that, deep in me, I don’t intend to practice as a graphic designer anymore. I want to venture into a slightly different career —or maybe a completely new one if my life path should lead that way—, so really I just want this portfolio as a backup in case I do need to go back to graphic design or in case I get a gig, and people want to see my work.

See more progress on: 2009: Identify and Rid Myself of 43 Items of Überclutter

Day 20: +1 = 28 countries

28. Brazil

See more progress on: Get 43 flags on my 43T flag counter :)

Salmon sushi

^{The photo and lighting are not the best, but the sushi was :)}

It had been a long time since I hadn’t done sushi, so I had to look up the recipe on how to cook the rice. I had forgotten how easy and quick it is to make. I adapted the recipe into a simpler version of how I remembered first doing it:

1 cup medium-grain rice
2 cups water
2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Rinse the rice until water is clear (about 4 rinses). Let rice soak in water for 30 minutes in pressure cooker.

Close the pressure lid and heat on high flame until it begins steaming. Lower the flame to minimum and put the regulator on the cooker. Cook for 10 min and let cool.

When the pressure is gone, open the lid and add the vinegar while stirring the rice to mix it evenly. Keep it covered with a moistened towel while preparing the sushi.

Roll your sushi with your favorite ingredients over kelp and rice. This one has salmon, Philadelphia cream cheese, cucumber, and sesame seeds.

See more progress on: try a new recipe every week

Salmon sushi

^{The photo and lighting are not the best, but the sushi was :)}

It had been a long time since I hadn’t done sushi, so I had to look up the recipe on how to cook the rice. I had forgotten how easy and quick it is to make. I adapted the recipe into a simpler version of how I remembered first doing it:

1 cup medium-grain rice
2 cups water
2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Rinse the rice until water is clear (about 4 rinses). Let rice soak in water for 30 minutes in pressure cooker.

Close the pressure lid and heat on high flame until it begins steaming. Lower the flame to minimum and put the regulator on the cooker. Cook for 10 min and let cool.

When the pressure is gone, open the lid and add the vinegar while stirring the rice to mix it evenly. Keep it covered with a moistened towel while preparing the sushi.

Roll your sushi with your favorite ingredients over kelp and rice. This one has salmon, Philadelphia cream cheese, cucumber, and sesame seeds.

See more progress on: try a new recipe every week

Sunset #8

The sun at the moment of setting in the middle of both volcanoes, Popo & Izta. Taken a few months ago.

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets

Haiku #19

Geminids shower
Meteors, bright shooting stars
in the dark night sky

From Aldebaran
near the Pleiades cluster
to Orion’s bow

Oh, you meteor
bright purple white shooting star
you lit up my night

See more progress on: write haiku on fridays

Day 19: +1 = 27 countries

27. Estonia

See more progress on: Get 43 flags on my 43T flag counter :)

Item #7: yearbooks

As tough as it is, I think I’m just going to cut out the pages that interest me to add them to my scrapbooks sometime. Most of these yearbooks are from grade school where my friends and I are just in one page. There may be a couple more pages of interest, but not to keep whole books of very-heavy pages that I won’t be lugging in my next move. As heart-breaking as it is, they’ll have to go.

See more progress on: 2009: Identify and Rid Myself of 43 Items of Überclutter

Week #3

Last week, I went to a posada, a traditional religious celebration where the search for a place to stay by Joseph and Mary before their son is born is reenacted with litanies and lighting candles. Other activities that are done include breaking a piñata, drinking punch and traditional food of the season, and nowadays modern performances are also part of it.

Though I missed most of the posada because I arrived late —I thought I was just a bit late, but the posada actually started on time, something unheard in this neck of the woods—, I got there to eat some food from the stands, and I got to see one performance where a man dances with fire. Also some people started some bonfires where they just hung out by it, and it was just a good feel all around.

See more progress on: go on an artist's date every week

Sunset #7

Today’s sunset behind two contrasting churches: one traditional (left) and one modern (center).

See more progress on: Photograph 43 Sunsets