All Hail Madonna, Queen and Mother of...pretty much everything

Despite any remaining common sense, I decided in my blurry-eyed, exhausted state that a Madonna concert was precisely what the doctor ordered. I would have regreted it the entirety of my life if I hadn't gone! I would love to sum up the concert in one word, or a short sentence, unfortunately any attempts would be a waste. I enjoyed it so much I almost forgot she was 1.5 hours late going on stage!!!? All I can do is describe one particular scene of the concert that describes my awe (keep in mind the woman turned 50 this year, and I realized I just sounded like that old SNL skit):

Picture this: four large screens on stage in a cube as the music starts they begin separating and a car comes out...soon after a spin on the car around stage 10 dancers and Madonna begin jumping rope, and not just jumping, but double dutching!!?? Quick costume change (1 of 1700) and she appears underneath a fifth screen on a piano singing Evita. Are you kidding me?

My favorite song, because I know you're dying to know, was "Like a Prayer." I had an amazing experience while studying in Cannes listening to that song at a discotheque with a Bono and Jason Biggs spotting. But live it trumped my measly attempt at awesomeness. She had quotes from the religious texts of the world and photos. I felt like I was back at Yogaville, except for the fact that there were 50,000 people and a woman humping the floor - whatever.

This woman deserves an award (as if she doesn't have any already), if nothing else she deserves a new status of human being. She's a hybrid woman and mother of pretty much everything.

Today I'm grateful for FREE Madonna tickets, Schmendra, and my new Vitamix!

Attempts at a non-pity party

So, here's the deal...lately I haven't felt funny, inspired or very friendly for that matter (definitely not in the mood for a photo). I attribute it to salmonella contamination from China, new stressful job, adjusting to being home from the ashram, a growing frustration with finding a job that inspires me, and today getting rear-ended. I believe focusing on negative things creates more of that (guess I'm not so good at keeping "The Secret), so...instead below are a list of my favorite jokes. This day will not end as a sequel to an Alexander's Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day book (for those of you who used to read that book).
Instead I choose to list a few of my favorite one-liners (drum badaboom not included).

-The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

-I went to a seafood disco rave last week ... and pulled a mussel.

-Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

-Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, 'You stay here, I'll go on ahead.'

-A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.'

Today I'm grateful for Shannon staying late to talk to me, vegetable soup, doggie kisses.

Election Day!

I'm really impressed by the quality of candidates running for presidential office this year. While I have my preference in mind (I'm practically a socialist and believe strongly in a universal healthcare system, in case it isn't immediately obvious ;)), both parties intrigue me. I don't get patriotic very often, but having the right to vote gets me somewhat teary-eyed everytime (not that it takes much).
Today I'm grateful for voting in my third presidential race, Chinese Emperor tea, and sleeping in.

China, emphasis on "chi"

Got back from China yesterday and love it just as much as I did three days ago when I left (I had two Halloweens by the way thanks to the International Date Line). While I can't say my chi is entirely balanced (jerky jetlag), the concept of chi really started to make sense while I was there. We had an interesting tour of a famous Chinese pharmacy, got foot massages, and saw people doing Tai Chi. All of these to balance our chi, or life energy (same concept of prana in Hinduism).

The Chinese really seem onto something with acupuncture, acupressure, and Tai Chi. It's the balance and harmony of elements and emotions that keeps the body and person healthy and happy. They even name people and places after things to make them more balance. My personal favorites being a building in the Forbidden City called "Hall of Supreme Peace and Harmony." We even met a lady whose name meant "Happy Spaces." (Just thinking about it still makes me chuckle.) Does it get any better than having your name mean something so simple, yet profound? What an incredible reminder of your true nature to be peaceful!
I couldn't get enough of their signs...The sign above says, "Protection of virescene relies on us as we coexist under the same blue sky." In the U.S. I'm sure it would just say, "stay off the grass" or "don't litter." Leave it to the "Chi"nese to say things in such a flattering, harmonious way!
Today I'm grateful for my new humidifier, seeing my pets, and drinking safe tap water.

China is great (like the Wall)!

China is great (like the Wall)! Don't know where to start...I am learning Chinese, visiting the Great Wall (aka Asian Incline - my legs are killing me!), inhaling smog, eating yummy (bizarre) food, and using squat toilets. Indeed life is grand (and grander without squat toilets)!

Words can't describe China, it's just well, China. I left Beijing this morning with population of 17 million people. 17 million - the entire state of Colorado has around 5 million. I have a difficult time fathoming that many people, until I see the smog and sit in traffic. Now I'm in a "small" city (meaning fewer than 10 million people) outside of Shanghai. I just got back from a Buddhist pagoda. So far the sightseeing highlights include a pearl factory, Summer Palace of one of Ming Dynasty emperors, and a tour of a 2,000-year old neighborhood.

I love it so far - the people are adorable! I even made an older Chinese man laugh (which can be difficult I've heard) with my Chinese. My tour guide continues to apologize for his "Chinglish," but he speaks it well! Off to dinner and a silk factory! Love you longtime!

Today I'm grateful for tofu, clean Colorado air, and cute Chinese kids!

Wow, Tao

Two (rhyming) words for you - wow, Tao (pronounced "dow," want to ensure you sound intelligent). In honor of my continuing study of the sacred texts of various religions I continue with the Tao to get me excited for my trip to China (I leave today). I love it. It's mysterious, simple, and beautifully written.

Tao can be translated as the way or the path. The book explains it is indefinable and instead has to be experienced to understand it. It's a force of the universe and Taoists goals are to align themselves with the Tao. Reading the book forces the reader to use a part of the brain based on just being and not just logical thinking (something I believe a lot of us have a difficult time doing). It "refers to a power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Tao regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e. there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female.)"

I love the concept called "wu wei," which means allowing nature to take its course. Other favorite passages include:
-The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.
-If you want to know me, look inside your heart.
-If you want to accord with the Tao, do your job, then let go.

The founder of Taoism is believed by many to be Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of Confucius. Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism make up the three main religions practiced in China. None of these religions believe in an outside deity, which they believe can't be represented as one specific thing. These traditions have intrigued for quite a while because they focus on inner meditation and outside observation.

My first insight into Chinese philosophy was when my mom quoted, "He who live in glass house must dress in basement." (I don't know which is more alarming to me, that someone would have a glass house or that this is how she convinced me to close my windows when I get dressed.)

Today I'm grateful for my trip to China, green smoothies, Chelsea Handler.

Mean, green smoothie drinking machine!

People keep asking me how I've changed since the experience at the ashram. Apparently I'm still just as nerdy and from the outside look exactly the same (besides the beam of white light coming from my forehead of course). It's more of a transformation - nothing has really changed (wow, now I really sound like Landmark).

My transformation was purely based on my priorities and a new way of looking at life and myself. I identify with myself very differently than I did before. My days aren't comprised of to do lists (okay for the most part, old habits die hard), but rather optional activities I can do if I find time between meditating, doing yoga, working and just being present.

If I had to pick something visually that has changed it would be my diet, particularly the green smoothies I make almost every morning. I get excited to put fresh ginger, kale, spinach, mint, and banana into a blender to chug. (Just when I thought my days of chugging were over!?) I feel and look great (if I may say so myself) thanks to these mean, green smoothies! It was the Greens for Life book that significantly impacted my diet. I'm not ready to go completely raw, but I am ready to focus on eating a ton more leafy greens and enjoy it!

Today I'm grateful for blenders, kale, and ginger (can you tell I'm enjoying a smoothie right now).