A Pinterest-ing Pursuit

A Pinterest-ing Pursuit?

Like many of my friends, I have been inspired by the newest on-line social networking site, Pinterest.
(ATTENTION: If you don't know what Pinterest is, stop what you're doing and visit the amazing website.)

For those out of the loop, Pinterst is a virtual bulletin board.
Think about the "old days" when you used to have different pin boards for your different interests
one for recipes, one for DIYs/crafts, one for travel dreams.
It's kind of like that, but in an online/social network setting. You "pin" the things you like.

What I've realized is that while many of us spend hours "pinning" our favorite cocktail recipes or crayon crafts...
VERY few of us actually complete the things we pin.

As I enter my 29th year, I decided to take on a year-long Pinterest related challenge.
Each week I will complete a different project off of my boards. Some weeks, I may do more.
The goal is complete 52 different Pinterest project.

BUT I NEED YOUR HELP!!!
I know many of you are on Pinterest, and I'm asking for your assistance.

Each week, the projects I complete will be based on what has the most "likes".
Get me outside of my comfort zone.  Have me bake Shirley Temple Cupcakes. Or think that Scrabble Coaster Set is cute?  I'll make that too. You, my lovely readers will influence my direction and focus for the next year!!!

Go to my page (visit the Bearing It All Pinterest page here) and browse the "PINTERESTing Pursuit" pages.  I have things broken down into different categories.

If you are not a member of Pinterest (and would like to be) email me for an invite:
bearingitallreno@gmail.com

Pinterest inpsired Valentine's Day button wreath.
Project post up SOON!

My intent is to do a write-up of each Pinterest project that I complete. 
You can follow my 52 weeks of progress here.

Thanks in advance who all those who help and support me on this year-long pursuit.
Happy Pinning!

In a Nutshell

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Does the same apply when one has taken an extend hiatus         
from their writing?

It's been a while.
Scrap that....it's been FOREVER!
Apparently the last time I posted anything on my dear little blog was September?

September?  What the WHAT?!?
So much has happened in these last months.

As I am less then a handful of days from my next birthday, I can think of no time like the present to make my triumphant return to the blogasphere I've missed so much!

So what the heck have I been up to?  Here's the last half of the year in a nutshell:

So there y'all have it. 

Needless to say my life is always interesting, although in a completely different way than it has been in the past.  I feel like I've grown...and grown-up.  My priorities are changing, and I'm really ok (and more so, excited) by that.

In the next few days I will be launching a year-long blogging project.  I will be calling on reader participation, and hope you join me on my journey.

Cheers

Heart-Mind-Body-Soul: What's In a Number?

We all have a Number.

No, I'm not talking about your phone number.  Not your street number.  Not your weight.
It's that one number that most of us don't talk about.  The one we keep in the closet with our secrets. The number we take with us into each new physical relationship we embark on....

...the number of people we've have had sex with.

Some of my friends know their Number, some don't.  While I know exactly what my Number is, I don't disclose it to anyone (besides my doctor).  My best friends know round-about where it is.  Guys have asked before, but I'm not forthcoming with the requested info. It reminds me of a Sex and the City quote by Carrie:

If you're a thirty something woman living in Manhattan, and you refuse to settle and you're sexually active, it's inevitable that you'll rack up a certain number of partners, but how many men is too many men? Are we simply romantically challenged, or, are we sluts?

This brings me back to a previous blog I wrote.  A few of my guy friends boast that their number is in the triple digits.  First off...can we say EWWW?  But the saying goes that whatever Number a guy tells you, divide it in half. Whatever a woman says, double it. So, when is a woman's Number TOO high? 

A new movie coming out at the end of the month, staring the hilarious Anna Faris, titled "What's Your Number?" reintroduces the topic. 

After reading in a magazine that "In America 96% of women

who have been with 20 or more lovers can't find a husband,"

Ana's character Ally looks back at the past twenty men she's had relationships with in her life

and wonders if one of them might be her one true love.

Twenty is the "magic" number in this movie. Do you find Ally's Number high?  I thought it was a pretty accurate assumption for a sexually active, single woman, in her 30s.  But really....does it even matter? 

One of my favorite male bloggers, Tom Miller, seems to think that the actual number doesn't matter, it's your sexual history that DOES. It's what (and who) you did, that counts. A guy cares more about knowing if you've hooked up with one of his boys or that you have a clean medical history.

Tom also mentions that a man and woman's perspective of what is "number worthy" differs.  Your boyfriend's Number may be higher because he considers any "crossing the threshold" to be sex.  I know I only "chalk another one up" if we went all the way.

So...do you know what your Number is? Have you ever lied about it (by either adding to it, or taking a few away)? Is it important to disclose your actual Number to someone you're in a relationship with?  Weigh in.  COMMENT.  I want to hear from you! 

I'm ending this post with a montage of some of the men our Sex and the City girls have been with.  Seems to me their Number didn't phase them!  Have fun, and be safe Loves.

Sarah's Gastronomic Adventures: Bangkok Meets Bear

I LOVE THAI FOOD!  I mean, how could you not?  The vibrant spices, the complex flavors, the creamy sweetness of coconut milk.  Every time I eat a Thai Curry, I dream that I'm in Bangkok or along the water in Phuket (both locations I've yet to travel to, but are HIGH on my list).

What I don't love about Thai food is how calor-ific it is.  Lucky for me (and now you too) I found this awesome recipe in one of my Weight Watcher's cookbooks.  It's quick, and surprisingly easy.  You too can make amazing Thai Curry at home!

Chicken and Coconut Curry

Click on recipe to enlarge.

When I ate it for dinner, I served it with wild rice. For lunch, I just ate the curry as is.  The curry paste I used was a bit spicy (weird that something was too spicy...I like it HOT!) so I also ate this dish with a little non-fat plain yogurt.  SO YUMMY!

I would without a doubt make this recipe again. Because I bulked up the curry a bit by adding extra carrots and cauliflower, I had plenty of leftovers.  Enough leftovers actually for two days of lunch for me, and dinner for two for my mom and one of her friends while they went camping.  

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we all did!!!

  

My Little Piece of ZEN

I previously mentioned that over the summer I purged my plethora of crap and remodeled my loft.  Over the years, this little space in my house had become a catch-all for just about everything.  It was originally intended to be a place for me to do my homework and for out-of-town guests to stay.

Six years later, my vision finally came to fruition. 
It is now my perfect writing/studying/meditation/inspiration/ZEN space. 

One of the things I'm most proud of is that I didn't spend much money to do all of this.  In total, I spent only about $120.  Most of the items I already owned and just found a new home for in the loft.  Most of the artwork I had invested in framing when I first moved into my house. Other things I have picked up throughout my world travels (the hamsa for example) or have acquired as gifts through other's travels (the tapestry came from my mom's most recent trip to Cambodia). 

Newly purchased items include:
   * Cube Shelving Structure (Staples - under $50)
   * Wall Decals and Circle Mirrors (Kohl's - about $10-$15 each)
   * Type Writer Art (ROSS - $7)
   * Whiteboard Planner (TJ Maxx - $20)
   * Inspiration Board (Aaron Brothers - ONE CENT...as part of a promotion)

I'm thrilled with how this space turned out. It feels almost zen-like now, and I am inspired every time I walk up the stairs to my writing area.  I look forward to posting many blogs from here. 

Hope you look forward to reading....

A Birthday Worth Celebrating

Put one candle on a cupcake....

...my little blog is ONE YEAR OLD!

I have been working on Bear-ing It All for a whole year now now, and couldn't be happier with the growth and response it has received. Blogging has been a true learning experience. I feel that I've grown, and so has my writing. And that's thrilling to me. (CLICK HERE to read my first post)

What started as something only my family and friends read has grown to a world-wide audience. While my "hit numbers" are not worth bragging about (yet) I am thankful to each and every one of my readers. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU!!!

I'm excited about what the next year has in store. Be on the look out for give-aways and a plethora of new content (my writing schedule is filling up quickly).

Lastly...if you like it...INTERACT.
Post a comment. Share with a friend. Like me on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter. You get the idea. ;-)

Tons of love from Bear-ing It All, all around the world!

Heart-Mind-Body-Soul: So Long Summer



Until next year Tahoe

Well, it's official.  As my second day of the school year comes to a close, 

there's no way around it....SUMMER IS OVER.

I joke that the whole thing was a blur, but when I truly break it down I would say all-in-all the Summer of Eleven was not only successful, it was also one for the books.

Summer 2011 Highlight Reel

 

While I had a huge amount of success (and more importantly FUN) this summer, there are a few places where I feel like I really dropped the ball.   

I present to you...

Take Two

So there you have it.  My summer condensed down to a few clicks of the mouse.

  

These past few months have been memorable.

 I worked hard, and played even harder.  I laughed a ridiculous amount, smiled until my cheeks hurt, shed a few tears, experienced some wild adventures, and drank enough

Fireball Whiskey to fill a....oh wait, not even going to think about that!

I made new friends, reconnected with old friends, and poured my heart out to my best friends.

 I remembered why I love living in Reno, and at the same time...realized I may be ready for a change.

While I'm a little sad that days are starting to get shorter,

and the need for the fan at night has decreased...I'm also excited for the school year ahead.

My calendar is jam-packed, my head is already swimming,

 and I'm ready to dive in to probably one of the most intense (yet rewarding) year's of my life.

All I can say is YEE-HAW!!!

Who would have thought this city-slicker would without a doubt have embraced her country side?

Heart-Mind-Body-Soul: Eating Clean

This week's "Heart-Mind-Body-Soul" is going up a little late.  But a little late is better then never. 

After a 4th of July Weekend of over-indulging (hell, it's been a whole summer of that so far of gluttony) I realized I was feeling a little a lot sluggish.  In my effort to improve myself I realized that in addition to working on my outer-self, I also need to improve what I put into myself.

Over the years, I've tried a lot of different types of diets, fads, powders, and cleanses.  Some have worked, some haven't. 

A couple of my friends are currently on the quest to lose some weight and get healthy. Along with regular exercise, they are "eating clean".  This basically means eating simply, and CUTTING THE CRAP.  Your food intake is mostly fruits, veggies, and lean protein.  And TONS of water. 

After talking to my Bestie, she convinced me to do this as well.  For six weeks.  She has a Wedding Shower in six weeks, and I have my 10 year high school reunion.  Perfect reason to get down a few lbs and feel better!

So for the next 38 days (and when you put it like that, it's really not that much) I will be eating clean.  This is more or less what I will be eating:

Breakfast

Toast w/an Egg or Shakeology

 (This stuff is actually really tasty and fills you up.  CHECK IT OUT)

Snack

Fruit

Lunch

Chicken/Turkey Salad

 (protein, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, pepper, etc)

Snack

Fruit

Dinner

Lean protein and veggies

We will see how this goes, and you better believe I will be blogging about it.  My Bestie says that in addition to losing weight, she has more clarity and energy.  And really...how can you beat that? 

I'm actually excited by the fruit and veggie intake.  This is a perfect time of year to find great produce.  With several farmers markets around town each week, I have plenty of opportunities to get the freshest-of-the-fresh!

Right now I'm on a nectarine kick.  The ones I picked up last week are finally ripe.  So juicy, so sweet, so delicious!

Things Are Looking A Bit Different

No.  You haven't been directed to a different page.
This is still Bear-ing It All, just with a new, fresh, updated look!

After spending hours searching for templates, and editing HTML code I am finally ready to reveal my new design.  I'm happy with how it turned out, and hope you like the new look as much as I do.

My blog's appearance won't be the only change you will notice. There will also be a change in content.  In addition to the random posts that I may publish, I will be posting specific topics on specific days throughout the week. 

Tuesdays:

Heart, Mind, Body, Soul

Thursdays:

Rediscovering Reno on Week at a Time

 ~ Things to DO, Places to SEE, Events, Restaurants, and MORE around The Biggest Little City ~

Saturdays:

Gastronomic Adventures

~ Taking Cooking to the NEXT Level ~

Daily Updates:

Like/Follow On: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr, and Instagram

Expect to see the additions of these new topics over the next few weeks.  The content may change some as I begin to take off my "training wheels" again and get more comfortable with my writing.

I'm excited to take on this new blogging challenge and hope you, my dear reader, join me.  Your support and feedback is always appreciated.  If you like what you're reading, please share with others. 

Or even better?  Follow/Like/Subscribe to Bear-ing It All.  You know you want to...and I will love you forever!

Changes...They Are COMING!!!

As my school year comes to a end, and the summer is so close I can taste it (although Mother Nature doesn't seem to know that here in Reno) I'm determined to make these warm-weather months as productive as possible.

While I fully intent to relax and hit Tahoe as much as possible, I also plan on getting some real "work" done. These plans include regular trips to the gym, a complete purge of my clothes and closets, up-keep of my garden, finish reading some books, and make a SERIOUS commitment to my blog and readers.

Bear-ing It All is going to be undergoing some changes.  Not only will you notice a visual change to my page, you will also notice a change (or IMPROVEMENT) to the content.  In addition to the silly stories I like to share, I will be writing about specific topics and posting on specific days.

The topics will be revealed in the next few days.  If you have any suggestions, PLEASE let me know.  You can email me directly at bearingitallreno@gmail.com.

Please check back often.  I hope you're as excited about these changes as I am!!!

How FACEBOOK Helped Me Beat WRITER'S BLOCK

Writer's Block.

These two words have had control over my ability to write recently.

It's not like my life has been lacking in interesting events and situations that would make for great blog content. I have been a bit all-consumed with my classes and work...but there has also been some time for fun, time to try new things, and time to continue to grow my "Rolodex" of experiences and stories.

So why have I been unable to write?

I guess one never really knows why or how they slip into a pattern of Writer's Block. What people remember more is what snapped them out of their funk and inspired them to start writing again.

My moment of clarity came to me this morning.  And when I say this morning, I mean EARLY this morning.  For some reason I was suffering from a bout of insomnia.  After lying in bed trying to get back to sleep, I opted to turn on my computer and log into Facebook (I am obsessed after all). 

Though the details are irrelevant, after "playing" on my FB I came across some information that sent daggers into my heart (yes, I'm aware I'm being a bit dramatic) and set a fire in me.  Some of my friends suggested that I use that flame for a confrontation. Not being one who enjoys unneeded drama, I opted to use the fire burning in my soul as fuel to motivate me to get back to writing. The nudge from my friend and fellow-blogger Steph (check out her blog here) was also helpful (THANKS GIRL!!!). 

While I have nothing too profound to say at the moment, I see this just as my warm-up for a marathon of blogging that is on its way.  You see I am officially on Spring Break, which is just another perk of working for the school district (click here to read about some of the other perks). For the next week or so I will have ample time to fill all of you loyal readers in on the roller coaster that I call my life. 

Those who know me, know that I'm a "glass half full" kind of girl.  I'm also a huge fan of the Yiddish (Jewish?) saying, "What seems like a blessing may be a curse.  What seems like a curse, may be a blessing."

In this case I'm thankful for that anonymous Facebook friend for making the choice they did.  It has allowed me to wake up, open my eyes, and rejuvenate me to get back to what I'm focused on and passionate about...my writing.

And with that....my writer's block is no more!

As I Wait...

My blogging location of the day.  The Apple Store!

Yet again, I have been neglecting this little blog of mine.

Let me blame it on vacation (and then the harsh return to reality)? Or maybe it was writer's block?  Over the last few weeks I've had plenty to write about, but I have felt completely uninspired to blog about all of it.

So here I am, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Reno, standing in the Apple Store waiting for my appointment so I can get my damn iPhone fixed.  You see, I woke up this morning and thought updating my phone sounding like a great idea.  Much to my dismay, there was an error and now my phone won't even turn on.  The solution: go to the Apple Store!

For all of you apple users out there, I know what you're going to say, "Sarah.  You should have made an appointment so you didn't waste time standing around the store waiting for them to free up."  Believe me, I thought about it.  But you see, my iPhone is my addiction and without it, I not only am cut-off from the whole world, I also feel completely NAKED! I thought I would take my chances and see if they had any immediate availabilities or cancellations.

Much to my dismay, they don't.  So here I am with about an hour and a half left to kill.  I thought about going home, but my house is on the complete opposite side of town, and the thought of driving back and forth seemed a waste to me.  Especially since I would probably go home and sit in front of the computer. I thought about browsing the mall out here, but the truth is I'm trying to cut down on my shopping habits and since there is nothing that I really need it's better that I don't even enter my favorite stores!

My alternative plan is to putz around here at the Apple Store.  Best case: someone won't show up for their appointment and I get in early. Worst case (which really isn't so bad): I update my blog, check my email, catch-up on some correspondence that I have been neglecting, and play with all the gadgets.  Really, all-in-all, this wait shouldn't be SO bad.

So with that said my lovely readers, I'm going to say goodbye for now.  But I DO promise that my departure this time won't be as long as last time.  I have some exciting things in the works for this little blog of mine that I can't wait to share with all of you.  I hope that you continue to follow me in this exciting journey!

And remember...if you like what you read, FOLLOW me!

XOXO

My Year in Review

Each year, TIME Magazine chooses their person of the year.  This person is someone who is influential, has made a difference in the past year, and is someone who is recognized by all.  Past recipients of this award have included Barack Obama (2008), Rudolph Giuliani (2001), Martin Luther King (1963), Queen Elizabeth II (1952), Mohandas Gandhi (1930), and the list goes on. The magazine started choosing their Person of the Year in 1927.

Yesterday, the 2010 TIME Person of the Year was announced.  Was it Julian Assange (the man behind WikiLeaks)?  Nope!  How about Hamid Karzai (the elected leader of the volatile nation of Afghanistan)?  Try again!

The recipient of this year's award is the second-youngest individual ever to be named TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year.  The co-founder of the power-house, social-networking site Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg graces this year's cover.

Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook

 Although some people may question the magazine's selection, I think it couldn't be more appropriate.  Through the creation of Facebook, millions of people world wide are connected.  If that's not amazing, check out these stats:

~ Facebook welcomed its 550 millionth member this month ~

~ One out of every dozen people on the planet has a Facebook account ~

~ The webpage is translated into 75 different languages ~

~ Collectively, more then 700 billion minutes are spent on Facebook every month ~

~ Last month the site accounted for 1 out of 4 American page views~

~ Facebook's membership is currently growing at a rate of about 700,000 people a day ~

There is no doubt that Facebook has changed the way we relate to one another.  Can you imagine a world without checking status updates and viewing people's uploaded pictures?  Through Facebook we are able to get a glimpse into someone's life without actually speaking to them.

As I have mentioned before, I am a Facebook-Addict.  I can't remember the last time I went a day without visiting my favorite website.  I update my status virtually everyday, and some days I update multiple times. 

Looking back through my status posts from the last year is like getting a glimpse into what went on in my life during 2010.  As I have said before, I use my updates more of a journal/chronicle of my life.  While people used to write things down on paper, I do it electronically through Facebook (and now this little blog).

Check out my "collage" or highlights from a Year-in-Sarah

In one year, I: loved my job, hated my job, lost my job, enjoyed FUNemployment, despised unemployment, interviewed a lot, got a NEW job, and fell in love with the job I now have.

I: felt blessed for my fabulous friends and family, drank (and was hungover), ate, celebrated (holidays/birthdays/Sunday Fundays), danced, laughed, loved, experienced heartbreak, and went on vacations/trips (Vegas MANY times, Baltimore, San Diego, wine country, and the list goes on).  
 

The top 10 words that I used in my status this year are:
1. Happy (42 times)
2. Weekend (29 times)
3. Friends (29 times)
4. Love (24 times)
5. Vegas (23 times)
6. Night (23 times)
7. Can't (22 times)
8. Please (20 times)
9. Fun (18 times)
10. Dinner (18 times)

I find that these ten words are a very accurate in describing me this past year. It's crazy how much a few words can say about a person.  It's been an interesting year, and DEF one filled with changes and transitions.  It's been an unusually tough year, and although I had some fabulous moments I am looking forward to seeing what 2011 has in store!

If I Only Had More Time....

After a LONG hiatus from my writing, I am making my return.

This past month or so has been beyond crazy and busy.  I find myself wondering at the end of each day, where all my time went.  I feel like my head won't stop spinning.  I'm finding that I am barely able to tread water enough to keep my head from sinking. Should I add another analogy here?  Or did I make my point?



I am the busiest (and honestly the happiest) I've been in a long time.  I am however finding it difficult to get everything I want to done in a day (or even a week) and struggle with maintaining my obligations, relationships, friendships, and social calendar.  

I feel as if I'm being pulled in a million different directions.  I can't seem to make everyone happy.  Hell, it sometimes seems as if I'm disappointing people daily. 

I've come to the realization though, that I will never make everyone happy at the same time.  As long as I'm doing the best I can do each day, and I'm happy, that's all that matters at the moment.  If my friends, family, coworkers, and other people that I come in contact with don't understand this, then c'est la vie.  This is MY life...and I will live it the way I see fit.


Time Management is DIFFICULT when you need MORE TIME!



So with all of that said, I have created a list of the things I have neglected and wish I had more time to do:

Sarah's "If I Only Had More Time" List



 Get back to blogging everyday.

Stay in better communication with my family.

See my family (esp the ones who live in town) more often.

Tackle my mountain of books that I have accumulated over the last year or so...I MISS PLEASURE READING!

Study more!  Need. To. Get. Myself. GRADUATED!

Spread my time more evenly between my friends...I miss spending time with my Besties.

 Pre-plan my meals and cook dinner every night (or at least most nights).

Get to the gym at least 5 times a week.

Keep my room clean, and my laundry folded/hung up.

 Love my kitty more...I think she's upset that I don't have as much time to give her.

Get AHEAD with my work so I'm not always rushing to keep up or playing catch-up.

Try something new...LIKE ROLLER DERBY!

Clean my garage.

Winterize my poor little backyard.

Purge my closets and donate some clothes (or more realistically BAGS of clothes) to charity.

Now that this list is created, will I be able to tackle some of the items on it?

They say that if you put an idea to paper there is a better chance it will get done.

I guess only time will tell....

 

A Contradiction of a LIFETIME!!!

Our lives are filled with contradictions.

Y "The early bird gets the worm"  Y "Good things come to those who wait."  Y

 Y "Look before you leap." Y "Two heads are better than one." Y 

Y "You can't tell a book by its cover." Y

Recently I was talking to a group of my friends about a contradiction that seems to be a reoccurring topic of discussion (and debate). Why is it, that a man who "enjoys the company of women" is considered a ladies man, a player, or a pimp? Mind you, all of these terms are used positively and as a compliment.  When on the flip-side, a woman who has the same desires and game is thought of as a slut, a whore, easy, or desperate? Obviously these are negative and HARSH!

It is in our genetic make up to do things we enjoy, and to not just try to survive. Humans are the only mammals (besides dolphins and the Bonobo monkey) that have sex for pleasure (and fun).  It seems so unfair that a strong and confident woman can be viewed in such a negative light.  Especially when the only thing that differs in the equation is what's found between each person's legs.

There is no difference in a man or a woman wanting to "have a little fun".  Aren't both craving the same rush? Why should it make any difference? Can't good game be considered good game (and if it was safe and fun) isn't that all that really matters?  A male gets respect for getting around but when it comes to a female, she is disrespected and seen as trash. Funny how that works right?

Oh, and it's not just the guys dishing the insults.  We've all heard the phrase, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."  The basic translation: a woman rejected in love can be very angry and dangerous.

Lets also not forget about the competition and jealousy from others.  Rumors sometimes get started and with that comes a tsunami of unwanted bs and gossip. And mind you, this isn't just restricted to women.  I have known a hand full of men who have bigger mouths then most ladies. Some people will try and start their drama and get the word around about business that nobody should be talking about except for the parties involved. Before you know it words like slut, easy, and desperate are thrown around as carelessly as an opened condom wrapper. 

One of my guy friends thinks women can without a doubt be bigger "players" then guys.  He has said that while a woman can just be herself, look nice, and have a good attitude...a man has a much rougher road ahead of him. Even at a very young age on playgrounds young boys are playing sports and enjoying outdoors.  Girls are talking to each other about the world (and developing better communication skills) and playing with dolls (understanding social relationships). Men are trained to be the pursuers which is often more of a disadvantage.

So if the playing-field is technically even (or if women have a slight advantage) my question is this: Is it possible to drop the negative connotations and encourage the use of positive/congratulatory expressions instead?  How about instead of pimp and whore...we use words like OVER ACHIEVER and ENTHUSIAST?

I end this blog the way I started...with contradictions.  And actually, some "food" for thought.  It is said that you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  But at the same time, it's never too late to learn.  So my dear readers, what do you think?  Can a woman be a player?  Are the names we use too harsh? How about some new words to throw into our vocabulary?

I can't wait to start using some of these new terms (Over achiever?  HA!).  How about you???

I'm Back!!!

Well, it has happened.  I hate to say it, but life has finally caught up to me!  Between class in the mornings, work in the afternoons, and an active social life....my dear blog has been neglected.

School is good, but I have so much reading that I have to admit it's kicking my ass a bit.  I am LOVING my new job and feel very blessed to have such great co-workers, amazing staff at my middle school, and a fun group of teens to work with everyday. And my social life? I have found that I don't have as much time to play as I did when I was "enjoying" my FUNemployment, but my social agenda is just as "interesting" as ever (my best friends can attest to that). 

The one thing that I have not made any time for is this blog.  I am actually disappointed that I haven't written anything since LAST Tuesday. There has been several times that I have turned on my computer, read my Huffington Post, and then fallen asleep before I had a chance to write a damn thing. 

BOO ON ME!!!

Is it sick to admit that I was actually going through a bit of withdrawals from blogging?  I have really begun to enjoy writing this little thing and I feel like a piece of me has been missing since I haven't been on here.  It is nice to be back.

To my loyal readers, I'm sorry to leave you hanging for the last week.  I'm a work in progress (as is this blog) and I will make a valiant effort to not let this amount of time lapse between entries again. As my blog is called "Bear-ing It All", I also hope that you all BEAR with me! 

My next blog is an interesting one (or at least I hope it is perceived that way).  And actually, after you read my next post, please comment!  I would love to hear your opinions.

So until then my dear ones....

INSPIRED!!!

I am writing today from the Reno-Tahoe Airport as I wait for my morning flight.  I am heading to Vegas (yes, once again) but this time for work.  I'm also happy I'm flying this time around.  As much as I truly enjoy the trek through the state of Nevada, I also like the prospect of being at my destination in less than two hours versus a tedious 7+.

As I enter my busy week, I'm glad that I was able to enjoy a fairly low-key and relaxed weekend.  The highlight was on Saturday evening when I drove up to Virginia City.  One of my closest friends was hosting an art exhibit with her father at the St. Mary's Art and Cultural Center.  I wasn't sure really what the whole event was about, but I was ready for a mini-excursion and to support my friend.

 

The sun setting behind V.C.

The evening was filled with wonderful surprises.  The St. Mary's Cultural Center was actually housed in the old St. Mary's hospital in Virginia City.  It was a wonderful old building that has been refurbished and restored into a great venue.  I'm a sucker for old buildings and I loved spending the evening in such a historic building. 

It reminded me a bit of being in Reno's Lake Mansion (if you've never been, go check it out). The Lake Mansion is an old historical building located off of Arlington and houses a non-profit called VSA (Very Special Arts). Just another example of how an old building has been given new life!

The next surprise was the exhibit itself.  My friend had told me that she and her dad would be displaying their art. What I didn't realize until I got there was that it was ONLY their work shown. The main floor of the old hospital was adorned with paintings, sculptures, drawings, photos, and mixed-media artwork all done by my friend and her father.  The theme of the exhibit was "Our World of Color" and it was truly phenomenal!

The placard with the exhibits name

My friend's paintings on the left, her father's big one on the right.

There was a few things that really struck me as I toured the exhibit.  The first was how cool it was that my friend and her dad had collaborated to create such a wonderful event. Even though they had done their work individually, there was so much cohesiveness between their masterpieces. 

This made me long for something I can do with my dad.  While my mom is one of my best friends, I still see my dad as, well, dad.  He's an amazing man, who works hard, and is not only respected in his profession...he's considered a guru and is more-or-less worshipped (although he's so humble, he would never admit this). He and I have begun to start working on our relationship, and have started to find activities we can do together beyond just grabbing a bite to eat.  After seeing this partnership between father-daughter (expressed through art) it made me realize how much I would love to collaborate with my dad on something.  Not sure what that would be, but I know "it" would bring us closer and help us understand each other better.

Some of my friend's paintings and photographs

Another thing I realized while viewing the exhibit was how impressed I am that recently many of my friends have chosen to express themselves in a variety of different mediums. While this friend decided to pick up her paints and pastels, I have other friends who are expressing themselves through their writing, photography, etc.

I feel blessed that I have so many creative people in my life! It's fun to admire and appreciate their work.  And honestly, it motivates me to continue to CREATE.  My form of expression at this point in time is this little blog of mine.  I am loving the therapeutic aspect of expressing myself through my words.  I write for myself, but enjoy that I have a small (but growing) audience.  But seeing all this creativity flowing from my friends, inspires me to do more!

My favorite pieces of the exhibit!

I guess time is of the essence though.  With my busy daily schedule, all I really have time for is the hour or two each day that I commit to writing. And as for this moment, my time is up.  My plane has arrived and it's time for me to board.  Sin City...here I come!