christmas wrap up

This Christmas was extra special, and not just because I was surrounded by loved ones. My brother proposed to his girlfriend two days before our arrival! Within two hours of our touch down to Boston, Andy and I went with the entire family to the Celtics-Pacers game. I spent the next several days catching up with old co-workers, friends, and family and drinking and eating all those holidays treats that are bad for you. Cookies for breakfast? Don't mind if I do! We even had a white Christmas!

My San Francisco photos were a big hit as presents - I gave my parents calendars (which they can't stop showing off - I recommend Snapfish, very high quality) and my brothers and relatives framed pictures. My father also gave me an interesting book - Digital Photography Bucket List: 100 Great Digital Photos You Must Take Before You Die.

I wish I took more photos of the New England winter scene, but I was too busy. Granted, this trip was more relaxing than our whirl wind visit in September when I constantly felt tired, but still crazy. My camera was along for documentation rather than art. In my few spare moments alone, I grabbed what creative shots I could, but no sparkling white fields of snow.

The Garden

 Mushie and Rocco

 

Dad

Charles River

Uber coat

Prudential Center

You can view the rest in my Christmas 2009 album on Flickr.

holi-daze

This is Plan B for our Christmas card - I went with something more traditional. I am currently in the winter wonderland that is Boston, enjoying quality time with family and friends. I hope you all have a happy and healthy holiday. Knock down the eggnog!

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth,
good-will to men! 

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

on being sick

Last week the doctor informed me I have IBS. Which is another way of saying, "We have no idea what's going on, but your system is fucked."

There is no standard treatment or cure for IBS. She told me it was probably stress. Or possibly something more serious. Or maybe, I just need to relax. Chill. Stop being such a crazy Virgo and give myself a break. I didn't tell her I have a history of stressing myself out to the point of making myself sick.

So naturally, this past weekend, I was sick out of my mind. I can say with 100% certainty, I have never puked like that in my life. The vomit must have released years of toxins (sure looked like it), because this week, I feel amazing. I am clearheaded and focused. Hallelujah, I can concentrate. It's a Christmas miracle.

Now taking bets on when my IBS acts up again. Breaking the chains of self-loathing criticism is no easy task, even if it's destroying my body.

california dreamin is becomin a reality

One year ago today, I arrived on the beautiful streets of San Francisco with my husband, our two cats, and the littlest U-Haul trailer you'd ever seen. On this anniversary, I struggled to find the perfect way to express my love for San Francisco and the many people who guided me on this long, strange trip. Consider this a New Year's card, a reflection on the past and hope for the future.

The ocean.

The weather.

The palm trees.

The art.

The music.

 

Mexican food.

The park.

 

The fog.

The space.

The crew.

New friends.

The kids.

Love.

Family.

Home.

silent night / holy night

I took several photos of the Christmas decorations on my street and this one really struck me, more for personal than aesthetic reasons. I was reminded of Christmas Eve at my church back home. Every year, the service concludes with the hymn Silent Night and a communal candle ceremony. As the congregation sings, neighbors lean down to light each others candles, passing the light from one person to the next. It's a beautiful sight and sound, a congregation singing "all is calm, all is bright," carrying that light with them into the cold and dark night. One of those moments I could never adequately capture on film - my mother singing, cool wax on my finger tips, and the happy excitement for tomorrow.

Flickr

my first earthquake

mad tight
Originally uploaded by MandyK

It's good to be back, going to live shows again. I saw My First Earthquake at the Rickshaw Stop last week - a quirky, synth pop band, the love child of The Sounds and Freezepop. The lead singer Rebecca Bortman has incredible stage presence. She worked that sequence dress with tricked out sneakers, charming the socks off the crowd.

I spent the entire show grooving my post-four-mile-run feet, and cursing myself for not bringing my camera. The lighting was absolutely perfect. The dude in front of me was taking dreamy photographs, no obnoxious flash needed! On that bitter note, I can't believe how far technology has come on point and shoots in just a few years. My Casio Exilim is a decaying dinosaur.  Luckily for everyone, my pal Amber has an excellent write-up on the Examiner online - complete with colorful photos.

For an audio/visual assault of My First Earthquake, check out the video for their "hit" song, Cool in the Cool Way:

looking good, feeling good

On blue
Originally uploaded by MandyK

Today, I had one of the best runs ever. And let me first say, it's COLD in San Francisco. I left at dusk to loop a small side street, accompanied only by the chilly winter air and calm cloudy skies. I normally hate running on streets - the cars are distracting and the foot traffic is claustrophobic. But as I cruised down Cabrillo, the traffic was light. Just myself, a few other runners and the mail man. I switched my usual reggae soundtrack for dubstep - a killer decision as the mental beats were perfect for a meditative run.

I planned to only run from 14th to 40th and turn back, but I could see the ocean and was feeling superhero energy. So I kept going. I ran all the way to the beach! I knew I was in for some pain on the loop back. Cabrillo is on a steady decline to the beach - which means an uphill return trip. To make the slow climb even worse, the Avenues echo an annoying countdown to the finish. Luckily I was able to zone out with my thoughts, and next thing I knew, I was at 24th - the single digits! I smiled for the entire last ten blocks, and when I hit 15th Avenue, I pumped my fists in the air and slowed for the cool down walk home.

I ran 4.2 miles in 45 minutes, at a pace of 10'47" - not bad all. I topped it off with a nutritious and delicious dinner of lean chipotle chicken and snow peas. Then I went to a My First Earthquake show downtown, downed a pint of beer and danced my toes off. Tomorrow is going to hurt, but right now my entire body is smiling.