Vacation!

In January?  Why?  Wasn't there just a break from work at New Years, late December and late November?  Yes.  And I needed a vacation from those holiday breaks.  And thank you to all who helpe make it possible!  So what did I do?  Well...let's see...
- A little bit of nothing at all,
- A doctor's appointment (which shall remain unspecified),
- A couple of other important appointments (also unspecified),
- Initiation of mobile broadband internet (thank you Verizon!).  I can now officially get internet wherever I want...a park, a ferry dock, anywhere...which is awesome,
- Deep cleaning of the apartment, including clean kitchen, sheets and bathroom,
- Fabulous homecooked lunches and dinners, including copious amounts of good-and-healthy food stored in freezer for later,
- Facial complete with foot, hand and neck massage...much needed,
- Waxing (again, unspecified...you're welcome),
- Attending my very first opera (thanks for the binoculars, Dad!!)...Il Trovatore...AMAZING,
- Three days and two nights on San Juan Island (see previous post on pairings, and photos below), complete with healthy book additions to my library, kitchen utinsils and spices, teas, etc.,
- Long soothing soaks in clawfoot bathtub with mineral salts,
- Hours of reading in "the perfect reading nook",
- More rest and relaxation...

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment: 

Perfect Pairings...

I am inspired to list several ideal pairings, discovered whilst on vacation on San Juan Island, Washington.  Here goes: 

- Kari and the Art of Vacation
- Sunset from my view suite and Michael Gettel piano music
-  2008 Morgan Sauvignon Blanc and Beecher's Flagship cheese
- Peaceful sleep and sweet dreams
- Comfy chair at the window-with-a-view and really good book
- Excellent broadband connection from said vacation and connection with friends
- Pandora online radio set to Pink Martini and relaxing soak in clawfoot tub with mineral salts
- "Book of Luminous Things" poetry by Czeslaw Milosz-et al and a fireplace

Sabbatical

Where have I been?  I guess you could say I've been on a sabbatical.  By definition, a sabbatical is a period away from the normal routine - a time to immerse oneself in a different environment, a chance to see life from a different perspective. 

That is a pretty good explanation, in essence...except I don't have the luxury of unlimited financial resources and extensive time away from work.  However, I have had an amazing personal trainer, fantastic nutritionist and brilliant therapist/life-coach.  I am not the perfect version of myself now...that's an impossible goal.  I have a lot of work to do yet, and I've found that wicked saying to be absolutely true:  "The more you learn, the more you realize what you don't know."  It's maddening...yet, as I embrace it...teeming with hope and possibility.  Kari version 3.3... in evolution. 

So what's this blog going to be about now?  I suppose whatever comes to mind...isn't that a fright.  Sometimes I just have something to say...so I'll send it out into cyberspace.  And perhaps this blog will become a movie, in which Claire Danes will win an Oscar for her performance of me...Kari & Claire?  In all honesty, I did contemplate for a brief moment undertaking a project in the spirit of Julie & Julia...but who was I kidding?!?  No crazy projects for the purpose of this blog.  I have a hard enough time trying to floss every night or return emails promptly.  I'll put up stuff about books I've read, meals I've cooked (my new very favorite thing), shows I've been to, as well as various-and-sundry Kari-isms and adventures.     
 
So this is it.  In a moment I will press "Publish Post", and officially be out of retirement.  Makes me think of Lance Armstrong...Brett Favre...Michael Jordan...   Ready or not, here I come!  Thanks for reading my little blog :-)