Reflections on 2015

Overall, 2015 was quite a happy year.

Last year, on my blog, I wrote the following:

My word of the year (for 2015)  will be play. 

Smile more, hug more, offer little surprises along the way, say "yes" to new experiences, stand taller, walk lighter, skip more, be more graceful in my daily movements, take deeper reflective breaths, drink more water. Shine!

Did I do all that?

• "Smile more, hug more" - yes! Especially since my Hawaii trip. 
• "offer little surprises along the way" - hum….?… (i don't think so) 
• "say YES to new experiences" -  My professional highlight was taking the risk of transferring my tenure from the French to the English department. It was a gutsy move. Despite the extra hours of prep (and a LOT more to come next semester!) , the constant challenges of presenting the material, my "free time" spent flipping through numerous library books in search of content, and the stress of being at the top of my game, it brings me oh so much! I am now a more enthusiastic, creative, passionate, exciting teacher.  I have SOOOO much to learn; which is great, because I'll be teaching for awhile. 
• "Stand taller. Walk lighter. Skip more. Be more graceful in my daily movements."  - thank you Contemporary Dance! My Thursday evening activity was enjoyable and fun. Also, I can't ignore my constant yoga practice.
• "Take reflective breaths" - In November, I started a 30-day meditation challenge (at least 10 minutes daily of meditation). I'm still doing it! (and it's December 28th). I only missed two days while in Montréal. I don't want to prematurely jinx it, but I think (I hope) it has become a habit. I recently discovered Japa meditation; a gentle and simple meditation in which you repeat a mantra 108 times (using mala beads). For example: "I am strong and peaceful", "I am inspired", "I got this!". It's wonderful because I don't need to download or stream a meditation practice, I can just set my timer for 10 minutes and recite my mantra. And believe me, 10 minutes fly by!  Not only is there a quietude and simplicity that I'm exploring, but also I'm discovering revitalizing and energizing aspects of meditation.
• "Drink more water" - I start my day with a glass of water with a squirt of fresh lemon. Easy and refreshing!
• "Shine!"- sure!

First snowstorm of the season: today!

Dear readers, I hope you savour a quiet moment before the end of the year to reflect on 2015. Sit down with a glass of wine or a cup of tea, alone or with loved ones, with great music in the background and remember the good times of 2015.

Our annual Christmas day family pic.
(it was a green xmas this year!)

To Inspire: A Spring Manifesto

Yes, I know, our Family Manifesto looks awfully similar (identical!?)  to Winter's (or last year's), but I think it's important that we are reminded of a few focus areas throughout the months. I like having goals and this encourages us to go out and play as a family.

I will also share my own goals for Spring:

(You'll quickly note that they are mostly focused on my physical well-being, but that's what I need and want now): 

-Sign up for a 5km - done! May 23rd is the day - and train 3x a week.

-Try something new. Last Summer, it was cello. This Spring, it's Modern Dance (although it's not quite new as I have taken a class more than 12 years ago)

-Finish knitting my poncho so I can enjoy wearing it on walks!
-Keep up my daily yoga practice.

What are your plans for Spring? (either individual or as a family)

Time to Reflect and to Dream

Another year is coming to an end.

I recently read a blog post about a woman (a yoga teacher in San Fran) who always retreats (renting a cottage in Hawaii) for a few weeks during the holidays. She needs to take that time for herself to reflect on her year and set her intentions for the next one. She mentions how important it is to find quiet, alone and reflective time during this socially (and commercially) busy time of year.

My wish to you: find a few quiet moments to reflect and be grateful for the past year, and to dream and plan for your future adventures!

# 1 Highlight of 2014 for the Khouri-Parham Trio

Our awesome trip to France! (Sept.2nd posting)

Overall, 2014 was a pretty good year!

This Christmas, due to an extremely busy semester, I didn't send my yearly holiday cards. I apologize for all my readers who usually get a card from me. Know that I am sending you best wishes for the holidays and the new year. Perhaps I will mail New Year's cards this year… or maybe you'll have to wait for next year… we'll see...

What are my wishes for myself for 2015?

My word of the year will be play. 

Smile more, hug more, offer little surprises along the way, say "yes" to new experiences, stand taller, walk lighter, skip more, be more graceful in my daily movements, take deeper reflective breaths, drink more water. Shine!

Happy Holidays everyone! Now go and play outside!

A New Year

Remember my 2013 plans?
Never finished Hugo (it's still on my bedside table). Nope, didn't run a 5km in the fall. I'm not wearing a handmade knitted sweater and my walls aren't decorated by any artwork created by moi. Ask my letter-writing friends if I wrote more than two letters this year… hum….

So, what's in store for 2014?
-Continue to grow by developing my interests: yoga, knitting, reading, piano playing.
-Create seasonal manifestos for my little trio. *
-Create seasonal or monthly personal projects/goals for me. **
-Write one letter a month. I really want to do this!

I would like to learn a new skill or develop a talent. We'll see if that happens. I already have quite a bit on my plate.

* Winter Family Manifesto (this began in December)
One cultural activity per month
One winter walk per month
One toboggan or skate per month
Soup on Sundays

**January: I'm doing a 22-day Yoga Challenge on MyYogaOnline

Playing outside with Margot and Simon is fun! Let's embrace winter 'cause it's going to be a long one!

Playing in the snow. Lying in the snow feels so liberating!

Running down a hill while pulling the sleigh.

Margot makes me laugh!

Wednesday's Words: A Quote from Yeats

We are happy when we are growing.

                                                                                                   -Yeats

I think that is why it's important to keep the spark alive.

To try new things.

To fail.

To succeed.

To be open.

To say yes more.

Now

Margot is watching Baby Art on DVD while playing with puzzle pieces.

She just did pipi in her waffle underwear. She told me by shouting "Oh no!". She sat patiently on the potty afterwards. She wiped herself and threw the toilet paper into the toilet. We flushed together. "Bye bye pipi". My plan was to toilet train her this summer. I have a few library books about the whole process. Not a thrilling read... I'm a bit slack and inconsistent with this whole potty-training business. Perhaps I should have a plan.

I'm drinking tea. My morning cup of orange pekoe with a dash of milk.

On my mind this moment (also, what I've been googling all morning):
-bed ideas for Margot. I love the idea of a low bed (futon-style). Toddler beds are cute, but they're not big enough! A bed, especially for a child, is a place where you can lay your dolls and teddies, have a bunch of books sprawled across it and lie sideways if you wish. She's still in her crib and enjoys it, but I'm itching to move things around in her room.
-buying a pair of Madrid Birks. I haven't bought new sandals in a really long time. Also, coincidentally, I've talked to too many people in the last few weeks who have bought newBirks. I'm jealous and I want my new pair. It's summer and my feet want to walk around in new sandals.

I'm also thinking about my next knitting projects.

And should I go to the grocery store now or in an hour? My brief list is made. Tugging Margot to a grocery store is an in and out business. No meandering around the aisles and reading ingredient lists.

Quiet Winter Evenings

My evenings are yin.
My days are yang.
From the moment I wake up at 6:15 a.m., 'till Margot hits the sack at 7 pm, I feel like I'm go go go. My job is very yang: lots of movement, lots of talking, lots of on-the-spot decision making. It's quick. It's active.
Now, more than ever, I need evening yin time. Time to knit, to watch Mad Men, to read, to talk quietly. To breathe.

Yang moment

Connecting

Really looking into someone's eyes. Connecting. Sharing.
Sometimes I catch myself not making eye-contact (a big no-no for a drama major!). Sometimes I look, but not really see.

With Margot, I really want to look and see into her eyes. They are so expressive and reflect her many moods. She, like all babies and children, fully sees and absorbs the world. What beauty and wonder! What excitement!

***Musing: Really connecting visually, especially with people I love. ***