I’m really getting into hiking this year. I love it. My Merrell boots are finally getting broken in nicely. I’m learning all kinds of new vocabulary, too. For instance: wicking, bug dope, GORP, moleskin, etc.

My goal is to post an entry for each hike. Since I’ve been on a few already, I’ll post them together here.

There’s a beautiful state forest not far from me. It’s great for short hikes and helps me prepare for bigger ones.

Trail marker

Tibbitts 2/14/09

Tibbits 3/28/09

My first real hike of the year was to Sleeping Beauty in the Adirondacks. Gorgeous views from the summit!

At the summit 4/11/09

Yes, I made it! 4/11/09

Next was the Taconic Crest Trail where our destination was the Snow Hole. The temperature that day was 70 and the Snow Hole was hovering around 30. After a sweaty hike to our goal, the snow sure felt great.

The view about halfway on our hike 4/25/09

The Snow Hole 4/25/09. I actually slipped on a patch of ice while I climbed down into the hole. But, the cold air was worth it after hiking uphill in slightly humid 70 air.

I’ve decided to go back to school part-time to earn a MSIS (Master of Science in Information Science). Am I a glutton for punishment or what?! Seriously, I am very excited about it. I am going to be a librarian after all.

For some strange reason, B thinks this is my idea of heaven. I must say, I DO love all of these fuzzy little faces.

B and I welcomed 2009 with a midnight snowshoe trek around our property. It was 0 degrees with a windchill of -6. We didn't stay outside too long, but we were so excited to kick off the New Year in a fun way.

One day, not long ago, while looking up information on how to create a Vision Board, I came across a wonderful blog that is now part of my daily reading. Christine Kane’s blog has been a consistent source of inspiration for me, and I look forward to trying something new for 2009: choosing a word for the year.

My Word for 2009 is RELEASE.

While thinking about my word, I can think of several parts of my life where RELEASE is necessary: excess weight, pain from the past, low self-esteem and stuff/clutter.

Excess weight has always plagued me, but over the past three years it has slowly started coming off. I still have a significant amount to lose and I know exactly what I need to do: eat right and be active. However, knowing what to do and actually doing it are two entirely different animals. I also need to look at the reasons why I overeat. I know that I am an emotional eater, so being honest with myself about these reasons is a major part of letting go of the weight.

Low self-esteem is directly tied to my excess weight. I am confident that as the weight comes off, the self-esteem will rise in proportion.

Releasing clutter is not new for me. Fortunately, over the past two years, I’ve been getting rid of a lot of stuff. Clothes, dishes, cds and dvds, knickknacks and books. It has been cathartic and a great relief. Cleaning the house is much easier with less stuff around. I’ve grown used to the calming effects of simplicity. Continuing to release stuff will be pretty easy. Plus, it helps to know that when I donate these items that are still usable, their life can continue on and perhaps benefit someone else. Besides, getting rid of unneeded stuff is a must. Our house is on the market and I am confident that it will sell early in 2009. Downsizing from this 2,000 square foot house to a two-bedroom apartment requires paring down.

Releasing pain from the past will be my biggest challenge. As Joan Didion said, “I’ve learned that you don’t actually get over things. You incorporate them. They become part of everything you are.” When I first read this quote, I felt dismay at the thought of not being able to get over the pain. But, the more I think about it, the more her quote makes sense. For me, “getting over” something would mean essentially forgetting as if the something never happened. Unless I have my memory erased ala Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind memory cleanse, I will never truly forget the pain. This is reality. In time, the pain will lessen and will not be in the forefront of my mind. I guess this is how it is incorporated into my life. So, yes, Didion’s quote seems about right.

To validate my acquiescence, I came across another quote. This one, from Byron Katie, says, “Whatever suffering we feel over things that have already happened is nothing more than an argument with the past.” Wow. An argument with the past. Talk about a lightbulb going on over my head! For me, “arguing with the past” is exactly how the pain feels. The present and the past are confronting each other in my head and heart. Unfortunately, I’ve been allowing the past to win the battle too many times. It’s time to let the present celebrate victory.

It begins today, January 1, 2009.

Release.

© Liz Rotundo

I started my first 101 Things in 1001 Days list on 9/1/07 and actually finished a lot of it (although my list consisted of 55 things). Still, I got stuff done. That’s the point!

Today, I start a new/updated list. And I am posting it here with the intention of keeping it more in view of not only my eyes, but the eyes of the one or two readers I have. ;-0   So, I am holding myself accountable.

I will update weekly.

101 Things in 1001 Days  (12/1/08 – 8/29/11)

updated 11/8/09

1. Clear credit card debt (2/5)
2. Lose 40 pounds (0/40)
3. Get rid of clothes I no longer wear/fit into/like
4. Get a full-body massage
5. Update will
6. Attend a murder mystery dinner theater production
7. Get a 2^nd tattoo
8. Learn to play chess
9. Replace remaining bulbs with CFLs or even LEDs
10. Visit Gettysburg, PA
11. Hike the Inca Trail
12. Learn to play guitar
13. Attend a film festival
14. Participate in an archaeological dig
15. Drink only water for two weeks (0/14)
16. Sell one of my photographs
17. Write a travel article
18. Sell a travel article
19. Write a personal/self-help article
20. Sell a personal/self-help article
21. Ride in a hot air balloon
22. Go parasailing
23. Photograph the Merello Volta grave
24. Walk a labyrinth
25. Donate books to ERCCW (done 1/24/09)
26. Sell unwanted items on eBay (done 12/08)
27. Visit Montreal again
28. Visit Saco, Maine again
29. Sell house and move into an awesome apartment
30. Visit the Lizzie Borden house
31. Organize craft supplies
32. Join a local social group (12/08)
33. Switch all HBA products to animal- and eco-friendly ones
34. Switch all cleaning products to animal- and eco-friendly ones
35. Learn Spanish
36. Finish Walden
37. Try snowshoeing (12/21/08)
38. Try cross-country skiing
39. Try Ethiopian food (done 8/15/09)
40. Try Vietnamese food
41. See all of Alfred Hitchcock’s films
42. Visit the New York Public library (and photograph the lions Patience and
    Fortitude) (done 2/7/09)
43. Try matcha green tea
44. Write five letters (on paper with a pen in longhand!) (0/5)
45. Organize all books in my library
46. Join a book club (4/09)
47. Visit a hookah lounge
48. Help build a house with Habitat for Humanity
49. List at least one thing I am grateful for every day for one month (0/30)
50. Take Calcium & Multi-V every day consecutively for 90 days (91/90) (done 5/31/09)
51. Take a photography class
52. Participate in Photo Friday every week for two months (0/8)
53. Track down Trish and call her (working on it!)
54. Go through in-basket once a week for three months (12/12) (done 8/16/09)
55. Read entire camera manual
56. Buy bookshelves that are all the same for apartment
57. Go one month without calling in to work (20/20)(done 10/16/09)
    
58. Wash my face and brush my teeth every night for one month (0/30)
59. Meditate every day for one month (30/30) (completed 6/30/09)
60. Participate in a paranormal investigation (done 7/18/09)
61. Take a yoga class
62. Try one new juice recipe every week for two months (0/8)
63. Buy only fair trade coffee for six months (0/6)
64. Go vegan for two weeks (0/2)
65. Read one book a week for three months (0/12)
66. Shop at a Trader Joe’s (done 9/4/09)
67. Volunteer at a food pantry
68. Update my blog once a week for one year (43/52)
69. Complete and submit grad school app by 8/1/09 (done 7/22/09)
70. Compile family histories into one location
71. Go through my (home) office and declutter
72. Clean out cabinets over washer and dryer (done 12/12/08)
73. Go through kitchen cabinets and declutter (done 9/18/09)
74. Hike to summit of Mt. Greylock (done 8/30/09)
75. Load songs into iTunes and get rid of cds
76. Take B on a surprise adventure
77. Draw/paint one image a week for two months (0/8)
78. Create and order a set of Moo cards for a change of address
79. Take a stained-glass class
80. Take a bookbinding class
81. Save $1 each day and use the money to travel (343/1,001)
82. Keep a food journal for one month (0/30)
83. Complete a diet detox (finished 1/10/09)
84. Take a class on how to play the didgeridoo (done 8/21/09)
85. Visit Quebec City
86. Rent an RV for a week and travel
87. Take a class on how to play the bodhran
88. Learn how to work with tarot cards
89. Donate 100,000 grains of rice on Free Rice (11,130/100,000)
90. {Private}
91. Move Parnassus IRA into a CD (done 12/23/08)
92. Go kayaking (done 8/8/09)
93. Get up the minute that the alarm goes off every day for a month (0/30)
94. Carry notebook with me at all times to make notes for self-betterment
95. Pay for the person behind me at a coffee shop
96. Take a zipline tour
97. Go one month without picking my fingers (0/30)
98. Participate in Earth Hour 2009 and 2010 (1/2)
99. Learn to work with runes
100. Do something different on New Year’s Eve (1/1/09 midnight snowshoe trek!)
101. Start a new 101 Things in 1001 Days list!

I am spending Thanksgiving alone, by choice. Originally, I accepted an invitation from my sister back home to have dinner with our family. But, so much has happened over the past week and I decided to stay in my house for the long holiday weekend.

Last Friday morning, B’s mom suffered a burst aneurysm at the base of her brain on the carotid artery. The doctors and nurses told B’s brother (who was with their mom at the hospital) to call everyone; no one expected her to pull through. B was able to get a flight from North Carolina to Buffalo on Friday night, while I drove from Albany. Mom made it through a 4-hour surgery Friday afternoon. B was picked up at the airport and taken directly to the hospital where her mom, still under the effects of the anesthesia, was able to squeeze B’s hand in response to B’s voice. Talk about amazing!

Mom is doing quite well now. Better than even the doctors (including her surgeon) could hope for! She’s not out of danger yet, but each day she shows progress.

I stayed there as long as B needed me. I came back on Tuesday and returned to work yesterday. In light of all of this, I decided to stay here at the house for the holiday. Plus, I have to clean today because my Realtor scheduled a showing for tomorrow morning! Oh yeah, the house is still for sale. Aaagh!! But, it’s all good.

So, I have a lot to be grateful for today: B’s mom’s recovery, my good health and the good health of my family, a rekindled and stronger relationship with B, a roof over our heads, a good (and secure) job, amazing family, friends and co-workers, our “boys” Jiro and Tye, and the ability to laugh at myself.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.

(photographer unknown; image found online)

see famous look-a-like faces

I’ve been reading about raw food diets and thinking about giving it a try. The health benefits are amazing. Since I’ve been vegetarian for 18 years, and I’m nearly vegan now, it will be an easier transition for me (I hope). I’ve found some delicious-looking recipes online and can’t wait to try a few.

Weight-wise, I’m down 40 pounds in about 2.5 years. I still have another 35 to go, and I feel like I need a boost to kick me off this plateau I’m on right now.

Over the past several months, my perspective about food has shifted. I used to think nothing of sitting down in front of the tv with a box of Funny Bones and a big glass of cold milk. After pigging out and picking up empty cellophane wrappers off the couch or coffee table, I’d waddle to the trash can to throw out the remains of the gluttony-fest. Yum. And I did this on several occasions.

It’s been over a year since I’ve had Funny Bones (or any of that kind of crap), and I no longer have to pick up empty wrappers because I don’t eat processed stuff any more. I gave up milk and most dairy over a year ago. No more diet soda. No white sugar nor white flour. Lots of fresh fruits and veggies. (I LOVE my Breville juicer, by the way. My favorite juice blend is carrot and apple.)

Back to the change in my perspective: I was on my way to the local co-op a few days ago and went past McDonalds (which is about a mile from my house). I saw a woman in her car, waiting to pull out into the road after just leaving the drive-thru window. She was wolfing down a huge ice cream cone. My first thought was NOT “Oh my god, I want ice cream” as it probably would have been a year ago, but instead I thought “That is just not appealing to me any more.”  I smiled at this shift and knew that I had gotten over a big food obstacle. It was similar to the first time, many many years ago, when I was nauseous over the smell of a hamburger. That was a BIG shift.

I love the fresh fruit and veggies that I’ve been buying at the co-op, including the 5-pound bags of apples and carrots for my juice. Plus, I’ve been lucky enough to have a farm down the road a couple miles from my house where I’ve been able to buy corn, zucchini, tomatoes and summer squash. It appears that Tye is pleased with the corn as well.

I’ve been walking nearly every day, which I absolutely love. I typically walk the same route, and I see different people and animals each day. One thing that’s consistent on every walk is this partial mannequin in the basement-level window of a house. The room looks like it used to be an antique and/or consignment shop. Since I’ve lost weight and taken my health seriously, I see this mannequin with new eyes. I can appreciate my thinner body and feel good about how it’s finally showing some definition. So, when I see this mannequin now, I can think about how I want slender hips and look forward to wearing slender clothes. (I know that my sweetheart, B, reads my blog…so, honey, don’t be jealous of this “lady.” You have nothing to worry about. She’s not even half the woman you are!)