this week in rewind + things to be grateful for

Time seems to pass much faster the older we get.  Doesn't it?  February came and went.  Just like that. 

But, this week, I thought, rather than thinking, "geez, it's already March," probably the way to look at it is, wow, it's only March!  Because truth is, a lot has happened since the start of the year.  A lot has happened since the first of February.  Life is ever-moving.  Each new day brings in new possibilities.  New discoveries.  New beginnings.  And endings.  I am in love with life.  And I fall deeper and deeper in love with it everyday. 

At the start of this year, I told myself, that despite the heavy weight on my heart, I will begin and end every day with thank you.  But, of course, there are days when I don't feel very grateful.  I had a lot of those days (moments) this week.  Especially the latter part of the week.  But, I willed myself to sit still, even for just a few minutes, and take a hard look at life, my life, and I realized there is much to be grateful for every day.  Even on my bad days.  During Wednesday's prayer meeting, one of the boys said he was grateful for just being there.  His friend passed away on Monday.  He just didn't wake up.  They were playing football Sunday afternoon, he experienced chest pains Sunday night, and his parents were going to take him to the doctor on Monday.  But he didn't wake up.  He was eighteen years old.  

So, I'm grateful for this morning.  The ability to write this post.   

And, I'm grateful for ...

... this song.  Mat Kearney has been a comforting companion this week.

... the realization that although friendships change (painfully), as well, and someone who was once your best friend can turn into a fleeting presence in your life, there is someone else who gladly takes her place, and becomes the person whose words make everything better. 

... Annie Hall.  Someone once told me that he was surprised I had never seen this movie because it's definitely a movie I'd love.  I watched it for the first time on Friday night.  He was right.  It's my recent addition to my list of favorite movies.

... beautiful weather, beautiful views and long walks.

Los Feliz - Griffith Park Loop

Distance: 3.8 miles

Steps: 463

Happy Sunday, everyone!  Enjoy your day.  

 

on working out (and life) + another great discovery in my neighborhood

I had a long day.  But, I went to Cardio Barre nonetheless!  It's my current obsession.  Pushes my body (and mind) to limits I thought I couldn't reach, and that feels empowering.  Not to mention, it reminds me of days of ballet practice (long, long ago!), and that is just priceless.

I can't believe February is almost over.  But, thank God for an extra day.  Yay for Leap Year!

A lot happened this month.  Another Secret Stairs Walk accomplished.  Another hidden treasure discovered right in my backyard.

Beachwood Canyon Walk: 2.6 miles, 861 steps.

Life is moving.  And it feels good.  The lesson is that no matter how much your heart is breaking, you have to keep moving.  And eventually, the hurt will subside.  Or, at the very least, it won't be too paralyzing.  Then, maybe in time, what was breaking your heart won't matter anymore.  It won't hurt anymore. 

But in the meantime, keep moving.  Never stop moving.   

       

2012 Challenge: Update

There is this mantra I tell myself, especially, when I'm down and I feel as if life is not going as I had planned/hoped/dreamed, and it goes something like this: Do the things you need to do, and do the things you love to do, and everything will eventually fall into place.  In their right time.  

So, I've been keeping up with my 2012 Challenge: reading, writing, walking/hiking (a lot!), exploring, learning, and trying my very best to live in the present.

I've done 2 out of the 42 Secret Stairs Walks, and the last one I did turned out to be a charming discovery of these small, quaint hillside streets adorned with exquisite homes of varied designs and architecture: stone, Spanish style to modern to craftsman.  Here are pictures from that Hollywood Bowl and High Tower Walk.  (Note: I didn't take pictures of the homes.  I didn't want the residents to think I was some paparazzi taking pictures of them early in the morning.  But I took pictures of the stairs and the breathtaking view.)

the first set of stairs (103 steps)

second set of stairs (110 steps)

the view from the top (it wasn't a very clear day, but still beautiful, i think)

high tower

close-up: high tower

Then, last Saturday, I thought I'd go on a little adventure, and so, I went on the (500) Days of Summer Downtown tour.  I took the subway to Downtown L.A., and spent my afternoon with a group of strangers, exploring L.A. and talking about the movie.  Here are a few pictures from the hundred that I took that afternoon:

i love this mural!

i love clouds!  and reflection of clouds on the buildings, picture of heaven!

angel's flight

view from angel knolls park

view (again) from angel knolls park

catching the sunset reflecting from the building

The tour reminded me of how beautiful (and historical) Los Angeles really is.  Now, I'm obsessed with learning more about this city I love and grew up in, but yet, don't know very well.  I guess, it's never too late to start.  Journeys and adventures can happen even in our own backyard.   

doing things: the challenge

I woke up to the sound of rain.  Slight drops on my window.  The branches that concealed my bedroom scratching the glass, calling on me to face the forecasted storm.

But I had plans today!  And I really don't want this rain to ruin it.  

Nonetheless, heavy storm was the forecast.  And rain there was. 

Stubbornly, I pulled the covers over me.  I'm angry with you, rain.  Yes, I am.  So, just let me go back to sleep.

But, something nagged inside of me.  I said I was going for a hike today.  Start my staircase walk challenge.  Los Angeles rainstorm is never really a rainstorm, right?

So, I waited.  Peering out the window every ten minutes for the sky to give me a sign that I could (should) go outside.  Hike.  As I had planned.

9:00 a.m.  The sky still looked gray, but I could see a hint of light trying to make its way through.  Los Angeles rainstorm is never really a rainstorm.  I decided to hike.  My first Secret Stairs walk.

It was a success.

Background: I decided that this year, I was (am) going to do things.  Not just talk about the things I want to do, but actually do them.  I've been thinking about the last time I felt like I really, really did things.  Meaning, did everything that I set myself to do.  And what keeps coming to mind was the year I broke up with my ex.  (Well, we broke up at the end of the year, so I should say, the year after.)  As heartbroken as I was for weeks and months, I managed to get up and do everything I had set my mind and heart to do.  That year, I graduated law school, took the bar, traveled to Europe for the first time (and spent a whole month walking and exploring!), passed the bar, started my first attorney job ... and even fell in love.  Wow!  It was a big year. 

I want this year to be a big year.  So, I created my 2012 bucket list.  Doing all 42 of the Secret Stairs walk is one of them.  (If you've never heard of Secret Stairs, check it out here.) 

Anyhow, here are some pictures from my Music Box Loop walk:

The sun came out a few hours later.

So glad I went on my hike.

So glad I know this city

(and its usually predictable,

but sometimes temperamental, climate)

so very well.