Sometimes I like to listen to instrumental electronic “chill” music – no words, just soothing beats with an occasional sigh or la la la  thrown in. The following have done the trick for me; and are part of my “writing music” playlist on my iPod.

If you wanna give this a try create a “Tosca” radio station on Pandora and enjoy!

Passion – Nightmares on Wax

Boards of Canada – Left Side Drive

FC Kahuna – Hayling

Fashion

Great blog from fashion photograher – Scott Shuman;  The Sartorlialist

He has a book too-  great for your coffee table Amazon; The Sartorialist

My new mug from Anthropolgie…

It was my first time there and I really liked the romantic, comfortable feel of their clothes among other things…bedding, dishware (note: mug), furniture and cookbooks! It’s like a more mature urban outfitters minus the menswear…

Food

Two words to describe my lastest food obession: Sea Salt

Sea Salt particularly with Chocolate!

Try this Cupcake recipe..I made this with my bestie the other night and they were amazing!!

Sea Salt Caramel Cupcakes

And, if you don’t have time to make cupcakes (some of us are that busy) Here are some quick ways to get your fix!

Try Lindt’s Dark Chocolate Bar with a touch of Sea Salt…you can get it at Publix!

I keep it in my snack drawer at work and it has saved me in some stressful situations lol!

Caramel Sea Salt Gelato over warm brownies can make a bad day a good one and good day an even better one…eat with a close friend…you will bond!

Enjoy your weekend and please keep the people of Norway in your prayers!! Much Love!

-t

Yeah yeah…I’ve been sorely neglecting my blogging responsibilities, but in all fairness, life has been keeping me busy in a good, no – great way!

I am currently staring at a somewhat empty apartment, and amazed at how I am able to fit my life into about 15 cardboard boxes (That number has actually gotten lower, believe it or not!) I have counted the times I have moved in my life and the grand total is 11…ELEVEN! I can thank college life for the greater part of those moves combined with my slightly impulsive nature of following certain dreams in life.

And after every move I seriously consider becoming a minimalist. Seriously.

I am also amazed at how I could not have planned a better, more interesting three years – probably because I was not the planner- God was! And that I have managed to come out of these years somewhat unscavthed, with my masters degree in one hand and unforgettable memories in the other. Oh and I am slightly different as well.

I drink coffee now, voluntarily, and I actually enjoy it – thanks to COMPS studying. I still crave my usual chai teas in the morning like its a drug, I will never let this go. I also have gained 28 vastly different new life long friends – you know who you are

And I have some kind of a small idea (very small) of what it would be like to have 16 children – amazing children I might add.

The tip here is: you will NEVER have enough food! You will always run out!

I also learned that listening is an extremely underated quality.

I am always hearing that patience is a virtue yada, yada, yada…

However I would like to say that good and proper listening comes in to a close second – for me at least. Hearing people out before you put in your two cents might actually solve more problems than you think! My “kids” always needed someone to listen to them. And I love all of them. And miss their craziness all the time.

I usually do some kind of soul searching and self discovery during moments like this, moving from one life accomplishment to the next.

Honestly. I am soul searched out. I am just happy to have had these experiences under my belt.. And really looking forward to the next adventure God has planned for me!

Are you looking forward to anything? If you’re waiting.. Hold on.. Things do begin to change.. Sooner than you think!

- t

Just a little excited about his little feature!

LHS C/O 2000 Reunion..helping out

Love Dove

December Sunset...

Lovely Christmas Song!

Hope everyone is enjoying the season!

-t

You know how I love lists…well its been a while since I’ve written heres a few things to keep you in the know…

1. I should be typing a paper right now…

2. I love my job more and more everyday…but not sure if I can do this professionally.

3. The job searching has started…so far we’re looking at Tampa, Nashville, Chicago..and Australia (did you expect anything less)

4. I’m back on facebook…still convinced it can be a waste of time..but it’s nice to get back in touch with people.

5. Feels sooooooooooooo good to be finishing up my Masters Degree..still can’t believe it!! AHH!

5b. I can’t wait to see what the future holds…

6. God can take anything BAD and make it for GOOD…just trust that He knows what He’s doing

7. Realized that one of my best friends is an even more amazingly wonderful person and I am soo blessed to have her in my life ;)

-t

I have been disgusted with the bullying and the suicides associated with them. It is hopeful to know that someone is sending out a message to young teens that it does get better. As an educator, it would break my heart to know that any of the students I interacted with took their life because of bullying. I applaud Mr. Burns for sharing his story! Please share this video with your friends…and help stop this madness!

-t

World of Jenks…Can’t remember that last time I watched MTV but this show is good stuff…and it comes on at 10pm – which is normally when my day ends.

Oprah’s last season…it has NOT dissapointed!

I hope you are rested and well and enjoying this better weather (sort of)….

Well, the dust has settled mostly and I am beginning to create some kind of a routine that involves a lot of organization and planning. I have five…that’s right five calendars  or planners (two which are traveling and always with me) that contain every detail of my now incredibly busy life. Below is the month of August…pics of the new apt coming soon!

The life of an ARLC / Grad student is one that I was not expecting, I went from talking to the same 7 people everyday for the past three years – to now balancing meetings with over 30 plus people (that I like) in some kind of rotating fashion.

What you really need to know is that I am happy. I am looking forward to what this year holds and doesn’t hold. I am learning to seriously – and I mean seriously move on from people and situations that moved on a long time ago – for some reason it takes me a little longer to “get it”. But when I do…I do.

I want to focus a little more this year on things that really matter.

Like communicating with my grandparents in India more – losing your Grandmother and Aunt in the same year can put somethings into perspective.

Calling people and talking instead of texting.

Not spending money on meaningless crap that I can’t take with me when I die.

Really loving people the way Christ would.

Being nicer to my family.

Calling my dad every other day (even if our conversations are short and about the same thing!)

Really listening to people when they talk (this means NOT interrupting while they are in mid-sentence)

Forgiving – over and over again

Like my list?? Do you have one??

I will leave you now…I have to enjoy my free Wed evening!

Oh and don’t you worry about me – I am still managing to make it out for the usual dinner and drinks – please let me know if you’re free – I would love for you to pencil me in

~ Tabi

…feels soo good…

I know! I know! The past four months has been full of first times – and it’s been amazing!

I have finally come up for some air from the insanity that has been my life in the past month or so. I got back from Nashville without even so much as a moment to rest! In the past month I have managed to:

1. Move back from Nashville (didn’t want to leave – cried like a baby when I did)

1a. didn’t really unpack because I knew I would be moving in two weeks…which is a nightmare for someone with slight OCD…

2. Quit my job and find a replacement in less than three weeks

2b. Oh that’s right! I’m still a grad student…class

3. Turn 27

4. Move to Tampa (which was the most unorganized move I have ever done in my entire life)

4b. Enlist my family members (two of whom were in India) to help me move – thank God for family – even Becky helped

5. Start training for my new job

If you need me I will be at my local watering hole…or passed out in my apt on the floor with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc in hand!

Got all that?? 

A quote for you…

“What do we leave behind when we cross each frontier? Each moment seems split in two; melancholy for what was left behind and the excitement of entering a new land.” – Ernesto “Che” Guevara

~tabi