Archive for December, 2010
It’s almost 2011 — can you believe how quickly the year flew past? So many great memories, so many blessings. I’d hate to head into the new year before recognizing some of them. I know so many of us are focused on next year, goals and resolutions — but please don’t forget to stop, pause and recognize all the incredible moments 2010 had to offer. Our society is always so ready to take on the next thing and set up new goals to be “bigger and better!” But don’t be so quick to move onto the next best thing that you take a whole year for granted.
I invite you all to take a few moments and look back on all your fantastic moments from 2010.
This year, I was thankful for…
STARTING A FAMILY
Vacationing with the Mister in Vieques
Meeting wonderful bloggers and learning lots at BlogHer
Competing in my first big cooking competition – the Beringer Great Steak Challenge
Creating a new home! (tour 1, tour 2, tour 3, tour 4)
Many other incredible moments shared with family and friends — I am so blessed to have so many incredible people in my life
But most of all, my Mister — who put up with my whining, lazy cooking attempts and loved me all the more because of it (so he tells me, anyway)
Here’s to a healthy, successful and beautiful New Year!
WHAT WERE YOU THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR?
Good morning, friends!
Any adrenaline junkies out there who list “climb Mt. Everest” as one of their lifetime goals? I myself, like to think of myself as rather adventurous, but Mt. Everest may be a bit too risky for my blood. I mean, have you SEEN Vertical Limit? In any case, part of my (my bad-ass side) envies the folks who consider it without even batting an eye.
But according to a new study, adventure seekers who dropping more than $50,000 to climb Mount Everest often lack the communitarian spirit that usually defines such activities.
“In order to escape the rules, contraptions, and stresses of daily life in the city, many people search for new and liberating experiences that transcend their normal bureaucratic and corporate existence,” write authors Gülnur Tumbat (San Francisco State University) and Russell W. Belk (York University). Unfortunately, it seems that competition and conflict still rise to the top, despite the notion that climbing to the top of the world should classify as an often romanticized adventure.
The research uncovered that climbers often resort to competitive behaviors and fight for positioning rather than cooperating in a communal atmosphere. “What they have is a forced companionship for many, far from any real spirit of community,” the authors write. “Money versus personal skill and experience compete as climbers argue that they deserve to summit the mountain while others there do not.”
“Our study finds that extraordinary experiences, when bought in the marketplace, can be destructive of feelings of camaraderie and reinforce an individualistic and competitive ethos that I, the climber, am the only one who matters,” the authors conclude.
What do you make of this? Have you found yourself exhibiting this behavior when completing a similar fitness goal — such as a group hike, run or smaller-scaled climb? I personally think half the fun would be doing it together with others you love and respect, but who’s to say how my feelings might change on Mt. Everest — I mean, altitude can mess with ya, no?
As for me, I think I’m better off watching Everest at my local iMax — with lots of popcorn, of course 
The Mister and I are off work all week — or as we keep saying giddily, “NO more school!” (note: we are not students or teachers, just weird)
I AM THRILLED to have the time off — but can’t help but think about work every now and then — What am I missing? Is everything getting done? What about that project that was still in the works? Is everyone taking care of our clients’ needs? Did my billing go through OK? Am I up to date on timesheets?
What can I say — I’m a dedicated employee
But despite my concerns, I have kept myself from checking email multiple times a day — if there is a problem, someone will call. If someone needs something, they will call. No sense wasting my precious time off with concerning myself with the goings-on at the office. Right? Right.
Now — onto planning our exciting adventures this week! Hmmm — I’ll get to that later. For now, I’m quite comfy having been in my PJs — i.e. sweats — for more than 48 (or has it been 72?) hours. Don’t worry, I’ve reapplied deodorant. Plus, they are really cute sweats
Are you off from work this week? Are you “unplugging?” How are you making sure you keep your distance from work? What do you have planned to do with your newfound time? Please share!