Workin' on my fitness

After a week of company complete with culinary tours of San Francisco, my pants don't fit. I stay in good shape with a fairly intense workout regime. Something has happened since moving to San Francisco (ahem, Man Francisco, can't believe I forgot). I walk everywhere and this isn't really getting me much cardio. Although, the more I think about it, I'm pretty sure it's the increase in afternoon stops at the macaron store Paulette or a hot chocolate from Blue Bottle Coffee that's creating the "bulk" of the issue - not my cardio.

I am recommitting to getting back "up in the gym workin' on my fitness," as Fergie would say. Years after the song has been out I still adore that line, mostly because its syntax makes no sense. If it works for Fergie, it works for me...she's in great shape! And I can guarantee that song will be the first one I listen to on the rowing machine. I be up in the gym working on my fitness...and Man Franciso's my witness.

Today I'm grateful for my gym membership, farmer's markets, and the most walkable city in America - San Francisco.

Greek geek

For as long as I can remember I've had a "thing" for all things Greek. I adore baklava, gyro meat, Neo-classical architecture, philosophy, and even went Greek in college by joining Delta Zeta (heck, I adore toga parties!). How fitting I now live in a state with a Greek goddess on its state seal (California and Athena in case you were wondering). When I was younger I was enthralled by Greek mythology and used to reread my book of myths over and over again. It has been a while since I visited Greece, and I can still appreciate being awestruck by Crete and statues of Greek goddesses. Their desire for knowledge and truth resonates much with my own.

All of the wonderment about Greek history has come to a head with one of my classes. We've been delving into Greek philosophers and I have fallen head over Greek sandals for Plato's cosmology theories. His book Timaeus describes them in detail and I cannot do it justice. One thing of particular note is his concept of the us being created with a twin soul in a star (this is VERY simplified). While we certainly don't have a lot in common (besides each having a twin star) - I seem to have somehow developed a crush on Mr. Plato (yes, creepy, I know).

Today I'm grateful for Karla's visit, my mom's visit, and calls with Hayley before grocery shopping.

On call

Shortly after moving to SF...I received an offer I couldn't pass up, actually could - and did. You see, I got the offer to be a call girl, or escort if you will. In my naivety I didn't quite understand what that was until I did more research on trusty omniscient friend named Google. In college I was told by a friend's mother that I would make an excellent call girl. I took it as a compliment (implying I have a charming personality to match my looks) and have been carrying it with me for several years. Alas my chance arrived in the form of a proposition at a bus stop and when the moment came turns out I just don't have what it takes to be one.

I don't consider myself a romantic, but apparently I am. Being paid to entertain with my personality works just fine, however, being paid for personality and possible physical intimacy, not my thing. While I don't judge women who decide to take this route, I still want sex (or making love if you will since I have just confessed to being romantic) to be something shared with someone I feel intimately connected with non-physically first. (All of this aside, I would be required to wear acrylic nails and more than likely have to shave my legs more regularly - no thanks!)

While I realize confessing this offer on the Interweb may not be entirely appropriate considering it's still somewhat of a hush hush topic, but it was a defining moment for me about what I will and won't do for money. I hadn't thought much about it until now. It appears I will not be on call, and now actually know what that means.;)

Today I'm grateful for umbrellas, soup, and lots of tea.

E.G. wannabe

The time has come to talk of many things, said the Walrus...and so it is also time for me to confess that I'm a wannabe. An Elizabeth Gilbert wannabe through and through. Her latest book, Committed (which I finished just in time for Valentine's Day), only confirms my admiration status. Her unique style of writing that's part memoir and part journalist with a side of comedy. The book explores the institution of marriage, which has been quite a topic of confusion to me as of late. Marriage itself fascinates and repulses me to somewhat equally.

I believe in monogamy as a path of spiritual practice and a way to learn more about yourself through a relationship. I want a long-term relationship and partnership of equality. I don't believe marriage is the way to get there. It appears to be based in ownership and a history that few have truly studied before literally "engaging" in the act. I'm not necessarily anti-marriage, just not quite sure if it's a part of my path.

This post may be my last for quite some time as I appear to be leaving the book club I started by myself and am apparently ending (by myself) with saying farewell to leisure reading until my grad school program has completed. The only book reviews from here on out will be of books I wouldn't wish upon anyone - except the ones silly enough to be in my program (bless them all).

This posted wouldn't be complete without some sort of dorky word play, rhyme, or pun...Alas, I shall not disappoint! I'm "Committed" you all go read Elizabeth Gilbert's new book, and think of me...the official E.G. wannabe.

Today I'm grateful for my classes, Friday night plans, and the origami cranes hanging in my hallway.

Origami craning

My sister came for a visit and I couldn't resist using her origami genius mind for the good of my apartment. You see, what has really been missing from my living space are cranes, of the origamic (not sure how to make origami an adjective) sort. Alas, problem solved...nine (1,000 would not fit) cranes in my hallway. They are partially in honor of the Chinese New Year that begins on Feb. 14 and also to serve the purpose of checking something else off my life list (to be found at www.43things.com/person/FarrarRebecca ), that something being learning how to make origami cranes.

Cranes have quite a history and I'm delighted to have them as a part of my life in the form of paper. According to scientists, cranes have been around for more than 60 million years. In Greek tradition (one I'm particularly found of as a philosopher ;)), they are a symbol of Apollo, the sun god. It's considered the "bird of happiness" in Japanese culture and as the "heavenly bird" in China. Mythology holds the powerful wings of a crane can carry souls to enlightenment in paradise. All of this information, only makes it fitting they cranes grace my entryway, and if I "crane" my neck the right way from my desk I can see beautifully all nine of them.

Today I'm grateful for origami paper from Little Osaka, Suppenkuche, and PETA bug catchers.

Four weeks and counting

My one month anniversary with Man Francisco was yesterday. Boy oh boy am I glad I didn't write an entry yesterday - we were not happy together. For starters my toilet was broken and for four days (yes, four days as in 96 hours) I couldn't flush it. I felt homeless having to constantly find places to use the restroom. On top of that a hoard of cockroaches seemed to have found a new home in my lovely apartment. If that that weren't gross enough, I had some sort of allergic reaction and my hands swelled up and I itched all over. And of course it was raining as happens in the "rainy season" and my umbrella broke on my walk to get roach deterent. Have I also mentioned my creepy neighbor next door or the folks living above me who have REALLY loud fights and sex at 3 a.m.? Add to the fact I'm spending too much time alone and studying far too much - and we all know what they say about all work and no play. Makes Becky dull and kinda weepy.

I'm happy to say after our brief quarrel we have communicated our differences and the honeymoon phase is back in full effect with 60 degree sunny skies and a wonderful class today. (I also bought a pound of bay leaves as I have heard this deters roaches.) I also treated myself to a cookie at a bakery 30 paces from my front door (I counted today) to celebrate the momentous occasion. The storms will come and go with Man Francisco, but it looks as though I'm in it to stay (as long as my toilet gets fixed).

Today I'm grateful for sunshine, the great folks in my Enviro Ethics course, and my favorite sweatshirt.

Whole different animal

I realize this is Frontier's slogan (how fitting the airline that got me into this mess as in flew me out here to look at apartments) it describes how I feel about grad school. Ahem, excuse me "graduate school." My third week of graduate school comes to a close as of today. I feel like an idiot. I don't know what I was expecting it to be like. Somehow making me feel like an utter and complete moron wasn't what I had in mind. My classmates are brilliant, not just smart. Half of them could teach the classes and the other half are so smart they aren't able to have conversations.

One of my classes has required reading of, on average, 400 pages for week and "recommended reading" of about 200. This post may as well serve as a farewell to my leisurely reading activitites and hello to highlighters and a good reading lamp. While I don't feel quite like I have been fed to the lions, I'm unsure what to make of this new species called graduate school. I'm frightened of it and also excited to see it uncaged.

Today I'm grateful for student loans, warm soup, and possibly a used microwave!

Watch out!

After several of years of scientific research, which wasn't actually scientific at all, there is indeed a direct correlation between people (more so men) who wear watch rings and arrogance. Around the mid-1990s watches became an accessory than a necessity. This era saw trends in watch rings, Swatch watches, watch necklaces, and the like.

I fell into the Swatch watch trend myself, unable to resist the colorful, unique designs. My watch ring and Swatch affiliation ended around 1997. It appears the watch necklace will never go out of style, especially as long as Flavor Flav is still around. My issue with watch rings now is the way in which to gaze at the time. A gentle lift of the pinky similar to one used to drink English Breakfast tea. Please, watch out men! Watches belong on the wrist or neck, not the hands.

Today I'm grateful for Jenny's visit, interviews galore, and beautiful weather.