It's A Love "Thing"

It seems like I'm only posting every five months now. Don't know why, and really, who cares? I'm just feeling bloggy again, that's all.

Right now, I'm sitting at work, sore from yesterday's staff bowling outing, watching wine videos and reading wine articles online. (I don't remember exactly the last time I bowled, but it's been way too long.)

Wine's my new "thing," my latest interest. It's good to have a "thing," especially a new "thing." I've had other "things," but this one's not tied to my job or business aspirations, or something I'm doing for my health or spiritual wellbeing. (Not that those aren't good things.) It's not something that I feel I "should" do, so the joy won't be stripped of it after six months because of my frustrations of not being better at it. I believe this is love, people. The real thing. It's been almost nine months, and the feeling's still strong.

I've always liked wine, but never really got into it. Like most people, I was pretty intimidated by it. All I knew was Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and White Zinfandel, and not very well. I wasn't big on the reds. Maybe they were just too much for my untrained palate. That's changing now, though. I'm actually very proud of my progress in wine appreciation.

Now that I have something interesting to blog about, I'll be checking in more often. And that's a great thing.

Treat Her Like A Queen

Like almost everyone, I can't help thinking about all the Rihanna/Chris Brown drama going on in the media and everywhere else lately.

As I was walking to the train from work last night a song popped into my head that speaks to the issue of "domestic" violence so clearly. It's called Treat You Like A Queen, by Rahsaan Patterson, from his Love In Stereo CD.

Click on the icon to play, and please, listen to the words.

Friendship Train

Here's a tribute to Barack Obama and his family that my sister put together last week.

Click here or on the image to listen. (It's a great song, so turn up the sound.)

Babyyyyyyyyyyy!!!

I'm getting back in the mood to blog again. What that really means is that there's actually something new to talk about.

The best thing so far has been the birth of my BFF's new baby girl. Her name is Simunyé Lior Read Berry. Her first name is a South African/Zulu word meaning "we are one," or "we are together." Her middle name is a Hebrew word meaning "my light," or "God's gift of light." This works well since her mom is half black/half Jewish.

I was honored to meet Simunyé less than two hours after she was born, even though I felt like I knew her long before since I watched her mommy's tummy grow and felt her moving around in there as she grew inside.

Although other friends/family members have had kids, this is the first pregnancy I followed from the beginning. I really appreciate my relationship with my friend, Yaël (my baby mama), and her husband, Darien (my baby daddy), and that they've allowed me to be a part of their lives, especially for this most important experience—the birth of their first child.

Not to be biased (yeah right), but she's just about the cutest baby ever! She was just a little over five pounds at birth, and she's still quite small. It's been amazing watching her adjust to life on the outside, and everyone adjusting to her being here.

I look forward to watching this little soul grow up and become the woman she is destined to be.

Tomorrow's Another Day

I just came from watching Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle discuss his latest book, A New Earth, on her first live online class. I only got to see the first 10 minutes of it, as my poor wireless connection became stretched beyond its limits and could no longer compete with the onslaught of viewers logged on to this historic event. After a series of intermittent stalls and pauses, the video just stopped altogether. And trying to get back on was impossible, so I just gave up and logged out.

I worked really hard to prepare for this. I set my computer up just as was instructed in the pre-class emails and downloaded a particular viewer called Move that was going to stream everything. I also downloaded the Worksheet for Chapter 1, re-read the chapter, digging much deeper into it than I had the first time, and proceeded to fill out all but one of the questions. (I felt like I needed more time with it.) And I made sure I was online 30 minutes before time (even though they said 15).

I was almost too prepared for this. In fact, I probably was (not with all the things I did, as they were required, but emotionally). This was the first selection from Oprah’s Book Club that I actually read, and the first time I participated in any of the online stuff, so I really wanted to be there with it. And I was.

When Oprah came on and welcomed us to the class, I was so aware and impressed by the knowledge that thousands of people just like me were plugged in to their computers and looking at the exact same thing I was. It was historical. And I was a part of it, even for a little while. So as disappointed as I was to miss the rest of the conversation tonight, as well as the calls and emails people will be making, I take comfort in knowing that I can download the entire webcast from Oprah’s site tomorrow and watch it as many times as I want.

Everybody Neti Now!

In keeping with my quest for perfect health I’ve started the ancient Indian practice of neti, aka nasal washing, nasal irrigation, or (my personal favorite) nasal douching. It’s where you use a specially designed “pot” filled with warm salt water to clean out your nasal passages.

I’ve known about this practice for quite a while, maybe a couple of years, and desired to buy a neti pot, but procrastination (as usual) got the better of me. It wasn’t until I saw Dr. Oz on the Oprah show describing the practice in detail, and heard some of the testimonies from the audience, that I finally decided to purchase one.

Neti pots come in different shapes and sizes, but the basic design is the same. As the picture shows, there’s a bowl with a spout that’s inserted into your nostril. I ordered mine from the Himalayan Institute. I love their design because it reminds me of Aladdin’s lamp (which I’m sure was the idea). I got the starter kit which includes the neti pot, a jar of salt, and a bottle of herbal wash that you add to the water for extra health benefits.

It took a little getting used to, but I’ve pretty much got the hang of it (it’s been about 3 weeks now). I told some folks about it and they seem at least curious if not completely interested. My sister ordered hers right away though. I’m very anxious to hear what her first experience is like.

For those with any kind of sinus problems or allergies, like me, I highly recommend it. So far, so good. The real test is when allergy season comes around…and it’s not that far off.

FYI: If you want to get a preview of what the neti craze is about, check out these vids on YouTube.

Resolutions for Life

I’ll be going back to work in exactly two weeks. In the time that I’ve been home recovering, I’ve been focusing on rest and healing (which was the goal) and as far as I’m concerned, mission accomplished.

Another goal was to begin a wellness program that includes meditation, exercise, and healthy eating. I’ve also been doing a lot of reading of health and spiritually-themed books. The thing is, there are just so many good things to get into. As I start one thing, I find something else to get into. Then the next thing comes along and takes my attention from what I was just doing. I’m like a kid in a candy store with all this. It’s great, but my biggest concern is that I’ll end up dropping it all when I go back to work. I know I shouldn’t be afraid of this, but this has always been my pattern. I get real fired up about something, then lose interest after something more pressing or engaging comes along.

My resolution this time is to maintain all the good things I’ve started. This isn’t about quitting smoking or losing weight, noble pursuits that they are (not to mention that I could stand to lose a few), it’s about developing lifelong practices, things that will sustain me in this life and beyond. As a spiritual being, there’s nothing more important than my spiritual life. So regardless of how demanding my job is, or how tired or distracted I get, I always have to bring myself back to center. I’ve got to find that place within myself and check in on a regular basis, otherwise what’s the point? It has to be different now. My life depends on it.

So at a time when people are beginning to slide off of their New Year’s resolutions, I’m resolving to reconnect with myself on a deeper level—a higher level—for life.

Big Gurls Need Love Too!

Sometimes I get emails from Universal Music Group promoting new releases. I haven't received one for quite a while, and the one I got yesterday I found in my junk folder. What made me check it out was the link to the new Erykah Badu single, Honey. After seeing that vid, which was very cute, btw, there was one by John Legend that I looked at. It was a live performance of his song, Slow Dance. I've got to share it because I just loved the sister he was dancing with at the end. Did she represent or what?! I just loved that fact that out of all the women in that audience, they chose her. YOU GO GURRRL!!