I took my GRE's this AM and I survived. Yay me! The results are fairly good-a high verbal score and not so high math score. Fortunately, the verbal score is the more important of the two for my program. Be very, very, VERY thankful that I don't design bridges!
We'd all be in serious trouble. Really, we would.
There was also a writing section which has to be read and scored by humans (imagine that). I should receive those scores in about 2 weeks.
Next up, finishing and submitting my application, starting the financial aid stuff and then, ta da!
my trip to DC to interview at the school and explore the area for jobs and apartments.
In health (and vastly relieved the test is over),
Laura
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
appreciation and aspirations part 2
I'm fascinated by the concept of Feng Shui-literally translated as "wind-water", a Chinese philosophy utilizing the laws of heaven and Earth to help improve one's life by receiving positive Qi (Chi-energy).
Adopted by many in the Western world, the system of Feng Shui traditionally has been used to decide purchases of land, the placement of a residence or business on that land, room arrangement and position of furniture as well as where to locate a final resting place for burial.
Many schools of Feng Shui exist, which I won't get into here. I'm not very knowledgeable about the subject matter beyond what I've written. I won't do disservice to the long history and continued respect for the ideas that the Chinese have.
The New Age concept of "clutter" has been added to this ancient system and it is this that I want to address for my continued discussion of my aspirations.
Clutter can be physical or mental/emotional clutter. Clutter, a catch-all phrase for messiness or unneeded or unwanted things, is best defined as "you know when you see it", not a definition at all but a visceral sense. Women (and some men) know that cleaning closets or file cabinets can be close to a cathartic experience. The general premise is that for new (better) energy to come in, old (bad) energy must be released. If you clean your closet of things you've outgrown, you are preparing for better things to enter. Sort of a nature abhors a vacuum idea.
Back in Boston, my house had enormous physical clutter so I hired a professional organizer to help whip me into ship-shape. And boy did she ever! I can't say it was fun but the whole process sure was enlightening and ultimately very needed and inspiring. And yes, a bit overwhelming emotionally. It's amazing how must we invest things with our feelings and energy. They're just immaterial objects. Somehow we think that our things are pieces of ourselves and that if we throw away a dress or knick-knack, we're discarding some part of ourself.
Now, here in California, I have little physical clutter although some emotional clutter. I tend to hold on to people. The issue here is that the people I most hold on to are those no longer in my life.
See, a bit of a problem, yes? I keep thinking that someday they'll change or the situation will change or somehow we can fix whatever went wrong and poof! everything is better. That's pretty delusional actually. A major aspiration for me for 2009 is to let go of these ideas and move forward with a clear conscience. Otherwise, new and better situations, whatever they may be, cannot enter. I can always have hope that things can change, hope is free after all, however I don't need to emotionally cling to the situation.
I haven't yet completely figured out how to clean my emotional closet, however, I am confident that the solution will come.
As for you, I challenge you to all take stock of your possible clutter whether that be physical or emotional and see if there are things you can release. It's sometimes painful but very rewarding to make that space in your life. Give it a try.
In health (and almost clutter-free!),
Laura
Adopted by many in the Western world, the system of Feng Shui traditionally has been used to decide purchases of land, the placement of a residence or business on that land, room arrangement and position of furniture as well as where to locate a final resting place for burial.
Many schools of Feng Shui exist, which I won't get into here. I'm not very knowledgeable about the subject matter beyond what I've written. I won't do disservice to the long history and continued respect for the ideas that the Chinese have.
The New Age concept of "clutter" has been added to this ancient system and it is this that I want to address for my continued discussion of my aspirations.
Clutter can be physical or mental/emotional clutter. Clutter, a catch-all phrase for messiness or unneeded or unwanted things, is best defined as "you know when you see it", not a definition at all but a visceral sense. Women (and some men) know that cleaning closets or file cabinets can be close to a cathartic experience. The general premise is that for new (better) energy to come in, old (bad) energy must be released. If you clean your closet of things you've outgrown, you are preparing for better things to enter. Sort of a nature abhors a vacuum idea.
Back in Boston, my house had enormous physical clutter so I hired a professional organizer to help whip me into ship-shape. And boy did she ever! I can't say it was fun but the whole process sure was enlightening and ultimately very needed and inspiring. And yes, a bit overwhelming emotionally. It's amazing how must we invest things with our feelings and energy. They're just immaterial objects. Somehow we think that our things are pieces of ourselves and that if we throw away a dress or knick-knack, we're discarding some part of ourself.
Now, here in California, I have little physical clutter although some emotional clutter. I tend to hold on to people. The issue here is that the people I most hold on to are those no longer in my life.
See, a bit of a problem, yes? I keep thinking that someday they'll change or the situation will change or somehow we can fix whatever went wrong and poof! everything is better. That's pretty delusional actually. A major aspiration for me for 2009 is to let go of these ideas and move forward with a clear conscience. Otherwise, new and better situations, whatever they may be, cannot enter. I can always have hope that things can change, hope is free after all, however I don't need to emotionally cling to the situation.
I haven't yet completely figured out how to clean my emotional closet, however, I am confident that the solution will come.
As for you, I challenge you to all take stock of your possible clutter whether that be physical or emotional and see if there are things you can release. It's sometimes painful but very rewarding to make that space in your life. Give it a try.
In health (and almost clutter-free!),
Laura
Saturday, January 3, 2009
appreciation and aspirations
The beginning of a new year is always a good time for review and reflection and looking ahead to our next steps forward. I'm not a big believer in resolutions per se. I certainly am into goals and planning. People who know me well recognize that I am a total Type A planner and organizer.
That's probably apparent even to those who know me casually!
In my professions as a flute teacher and personal trainer, I've set many goals myself and helped dozens of my students and clients identify and set their own goals. In most cases, we've achieved what we wanted. This is definitely cause for celebration!
Instead of doing the standard resolution dealio or even the goal-setting scenario, for 2009, let me give you a different model: appreciation and aspirations.
I firmly believe in savoring life and to me that means appreciating the fullness of what's been given to me. Specifically I think of all the wonderful people I'm in contact with, from clients and class participants to club members, my colleagues, friends, family and students. Also my friends back East as well as family in Maine, New Jersey and Vancouver, BC. New friends, old friends, friends I'm about to meet. I also appreciate most of my personal traits-like anything else these can be both a blessing and a curse depending on your perspective!
In general, appreciating my life is an area I feel comfortable with; I regularly give thanks and blessings for what I have. However, one of my aspirations is to more fully enjoy all my good fortune.
I tend towards the ascetic lifestyle and can be a hermit pretty easily. Some of that is due to my
job. I'm in customer service and love my clients, however, I find that I need time by myself. Maybe it's also all the years spent in a practice room, working on my flute skills. I generally like my own company and I can amuse myself very well.
I find that it's easy for me to slip into the rut of working, working out and sleeping. I do have to point out that I'm not all work and no play. Since I LOVE to exercise, I consider working out to be my play time.
I see, though, that I could more fully enjoy the wonderful life I've created here in California.
The Bay area is such a great place. I've been to some fun events and want to do more.
I will share with you several ways I want to savor my time in CA for 2009:
go to the Ballet 3x
attend 2-3 concerts at Biscuits and Blues (love Biscuits and Blues!)
go to the "new" Yoshi's in Fillmore (well, it's not really new, I just haven't been there)
explore more of the museums and special events in SF
I'll continue with more aspirations in the next post, "appreciation and aspirations part 2".
In Health (and Happy New Year!)
Laura
That's probably apparent even to those who know me casually!
In my professions as a flute teacher and personal trainer, I've set many goals myself and helped dozens of my students and clients identify and set their own goals. In most cases, we've achieved what we wanted. This is definitely cause for celebration!
Instead of doing the standard resolution dealio or even the goal-setting scenario, for 2009, let me give you a different model: appreciation and aspirations.
I firmly believe in savoring life and to me that means appreciating the fullness of what's been given to me. Specifically I think of all the wonderful people I'm in contact with, from clients and class participants to club members, my colleagues, friends, family and students. Also my friends back East as well as family in Maine, New Jersey and Vancouver, BC. New friends, old friends, friends I'm about to meet. I also appreciate most of my personal traits-like anything else these can be both a blessing and a curse depending on your perspective!
In general, appreciating my life is an area I feel comfortable with; I regularly give thanks and blessings for what I have. However, one of my aspirations is to more fully enjoy all my good fortune.
I tend towards the ascetic lifestyle and can be a hermit pretty easily. Some of that is due to my
job. I'm in customer service and love my clients, however, I find that I need time by myself. Maybe it's also all the years spent in a practice room, working on my flute skills. I generally like my own company and I can amuse myself very well.
I find that it's easy for me to slip into the rut of working, working out and sleeping. I do have to point out that I'm not all work and no play. Since I LOVE to exercise, I consider working out to be my play time.
I see, though, that I could more fully enjoy the wonderful life I've created here in California.
The Bay area is such a great place. I've been to some fun events and want to do more.
I will share with you several ways I want to savor my time in CA for 2009:
go to the Ballet 3x
attend 2-3 concerts at Biscuits and Blues (love Biscuits and Blues!)
go to the "new" Yoshi's in Fillmore (well, it's not really new, I just haven't been there)
explore more of the museums and special events in SF
I'll continue with more aspirations in the next post, "appreciation and aspirations part 2".
In Health (and Happy New Year!)
Laura
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