my life list

life { things I want to do before I die...it contains things I wrote long ago, most recently updated*}

Visit the Himalaya mountains again, and Trek in Nepal
Travel all through Europe
pierce my nose*O5
Visit many places in Asia
Become a Barista, and learn all things coffee *12
Get married. Only if he is the right one for me, my best friend & the love of my life *11
 Publish a coffee table book of photography {not a cheesy one}
Live in Canada
Start and complete something
truly refurnish an old piece of furniture
Save money
give one thing away a day
learn to play guitar better
re-learn old classical pieces of music on the piano
become an expert on wine
Visit Varanasi, and BKK with my husband someday
see the red brick building in chicago
live debt free. always.
visit the tea hills in Darjeeling
create a home somewhere *11
learn how to drive stick shift*O6Get passionate about a cause and spend time helping it, instead of just thinking about it.
not own a house
take dance lessons
go to the zoo, and spend all day there
write a letter to the editor
become a mother someday
Display my photography in a gallery. *12
write a book, don't worry about getting it published. so what!
surprise someone
hitch hike
see the northern lights
Accept myself for who I am
go to an island somewhere*O9
go to a drive in movie theatre
smoke one full cigarette *11
own a pug
spend New Year's Eve in NYC
fly somewhere on standby
sleep on the beach
watch Casablanca
learn sign language
learn Pennsylvania Dutch
own a convertible*O6
sleep on a roof under the stars*O5
prepare for, and run a marathon
send a message in a bottle
fall deeply in love*O8 *11
learn how to use chopsticks*O5
visit P.E.I
create a map room with all my maps
dye my hair all colors*
learn how to knit* O9
live in a one room apartment, specifically with a squatty*O8live in the middle of a city somewhere. right downtown.
learn how to make sushi*O8
go wine tasting in Napa valley, France, and Italy (Italy*11)
learn how to crochet*10
learn how to play the violin
learn how to give Thai massage*O9
learn how to cut hair..for real*O9
visit Niagara falls
buy an old typewriter*10
learn how to change a tire
grow a papaya tree to make somtam
visit Montreal*10
teach English as a second language*O9
visit Istanbul
create and cultivate a garden
make apple cider
take a road trip through the New England States
host many dinner parties, and make use of all my chopsticks, and dinnerware I've saved for a destined time.
live in Asia*O7-O9
learn how to drive a motorcycle*O8
watch a live hockey game
learn Thai*O7-O9
ice skate on a country pond
read the idiot*O8-O9
travel to Nicaragua
visit South America
visit a coffee farm & help harvest the coffee
Go to Africa and love*O4

autumn and one year

It's autumn, my favorite time of year, and also the time of year that my husband and I were married. My favorite fall thing is the crunchy leaves and hot apple cider. Mmmmm. On Monday we celebrated our 1 year anniversary. One year doesn't seem that long, but in the grand scheme of things, it's every year that adds up, and every year counts. I love being married, truly. I want to grow old with him, and I know we will grow old together.

Currently the east coast is being hit hard by storm sandy. I want to do something, it's devastating.

coffee and catcuses

Coffee, and more coffee. Don't get me wrong, I love coffee like a cactus loves the sun. I'm in transition and I feel like I live in a coffee shop, thats all. It's good, I'm thankful and grateful, and blessed. I made a decision last night, today that frees me. I'm choosing not to walk down a path, and I have peace. Some may think that I don't take chances or I'm choosing to live a mediocre life, but that's not it at all. I'm a free spirit, and I'm thankful and happy I know myself and I know what I can handle, not only handle, but I know what I need to live a balanced life. It's not fear, I know that I would do a kick ass job at it, I am doing a kick ass job at it. But I choose to live balanced, and  live fully and care for myself and my family well. I wouldn't if I did this. It would consume me. I love that our creator God created us to rest and be fully vibrant. Cheers to that. Different circumstances,  it would be different. I choose not to walk down this path and I couldn't be happier. But I'm learning and I'll keep learning and I have this time to embrace much and honestly, I 've been changed in the greatest way. I see things and people differently. I have the best husband and friend him in. He supports and loves and cheers me on. Life life, love deeply. and breathe.

the beach with friends

My husband and I spent a day at the beach with our dear friends and their little boy, who is adorable! He turned one on the the day these photos were taken. It's a joy having them in our lives. You can view the full blog post here: www.anitajoyphotography.blogspot.com

World Food Inspiration

I love different places, countries, cultures. And I love to cook, but most recently I feel like I have been stuck in a rut in regards cooking. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it very much, and I cook often. Here's the thing, I remember when I lived in India, this is where I first began to love cooking. We only had a simple cookbook called More with Less. That's what we had, and we exhausted it. I miss that. Why have I not been branching out more, like I used to? I don't know. I want to challenge myself to make foods and dishes from around the world. Food that isn't familiar to me. And so I want to begin a challenge to do so in the next few months. There are so many dishes and even photos that can create inspiration. I picked up the cookbook that I own called Extending the Table, similar to the book I mentioned earlier More with Less, you can purchase the latter on Amazon. It is amazing, healthy, simple recipes compiled from all over the world. Cooking does not have to be complex or expensive, but instead it is a social act of community gathering together to love and share in the joy of eating and enjoying sustainable food.

wedding & honeymoon

With great delight and dismay I realize I have yet to share our wedding and honeymoon photos. My love and I were married last October, October 29, 2011 to be exact. It was the best day of my life. Everything went smoothly, we were able to relax and enjoy the day to the fullest. It was beautiful and a reflection of our love and style. It was a day I will always cherish. Here are some of my favorite from our day. And I might add, it was pure class. The lovely Amy from C Studios was our fantastic photographer. Also included, you will see some photos from our honeymoon to Italy. It was a divine trip. I am dreaming of going back. Someday we will.

Right now, I am mostly excited about sharing my life with the one I love. I am so thankful for the wonderful husband that I can call mine. He is my greatest friend and the one who makes me laugh. I look at him and I see the faithfulness of God. He loves me well, and I love him so. I am looking forward to many years ahead and the journey that is yet to unfold. Here's to love, joy and peace.

Thankful

I am thankful. I just combined all my blogs, basically into one. It is freeing, and it provides a sense of release. This is me, and these post document my journey through this life, my adventures, dreams,fears, hopes, and my pain. I cannot fully understand the greatness and goodness of our Father. He cares for us, and is always with us through out journeys and ventures. I'm thankful for many things, and most thankful for his everlasting love and grace. In no particular order, I'm thankful for,

My loving and amazing husband.
My supportive family and friends.
Hot water
A warm house to live in.(or sweet small apartment)
The ability to walk and move about.
The opportunity to work two jobs that I really love.
The city that I live in, it's stunning.
The abundance of much, much that I can live without.
The chance to live and breathe each day, it's a gift.

Pinterest love

I joined pinterest and you can go HERE to see my page. It's fun, but I'm not using it like I thought I would. Cheers for creativity though!

LOVE + JOY

anita

simple things

This is the view of the sunset in Seattle a few days ago. Normally January is dreary and cold, but this particular day was brisk and sunny. This is what I captured. And lastly, I'll leave you with a photo of our first couch! I love it, and it was only $10.

the beach

For some reason I cannot wait to go to the beach! Hopefully soon.

Pinehole Press

http://pinholepress.com/#/ I cannot wait to use this classic photo site to create photo books of memories, particularly of our wedding and honeymoon photos. Cheers for being classy.