i love the look of an infinity edge pool. the sharp and clean lines of the pool, in combination with the ethereal nature of floating in water that appears to be balancing precariously, creates this magical landscape.  there is a lot of technical skill that goes into creating an infinity pool, but the finished product is more than worth it, no?

sources:http://photosbymartin.com/images/greece2006/target10.html

http://www.kerensabvi.com/assets/html/the_pool.html

http://realestate.halogenguides.com/archives/665-luxury-destination-cabo-san-lucas

i am at peace.

source: https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Students/PhotoContest/studentPhotoSpring2007.html

6) spend time in Napa Valley

7) learn how to create glass art

8 ) float a lantern

if you haven’t picked it up already, the concept of the desert and how it relates to spirituality absolutely fascinates me. to me, it represents many traits. the desert can be solitude, peace, comfort, solace. the desert can be refreshing, calming, still. the desert can be alive, moving, touching. i love the imagery a desert oasis creates of this lush paradise found amongst the arid and hot environment.

How wonderful it would be if one could only
be worthy of hearing the song of the grass.
Each blade of grass sings out to God
without any ulterior motive and without expecting any reward.
It is most wonderful to hear its song
and worship God in its midst.

The best place to meditate is in a field where things grow.
There one can truly express his thoughts
before God…..

The best place is to meditate is in the meadows outside the city.
One should meditate in grassy field, for grass will awakent the heart

Nachman of Bratzlav
Trans. Aryeh Kaplan

learning about this organization has assured me that there are non-profits whose focus is truly on the needy and providing for them, free of cost.

the man in charge, Teddy Brock, has no salary, no family, and no home. he lives in an abandoned school that is leased out for use by RAM for $1 a year. he used to take showers in the courtyard with a hose.  this is a man wholly devoted to helping those in need.

RAM operates on a $250,000 budget yet last year treated 17,000 patients!! the people profiled in this 60 Minutes clip truly broke my heart to see that there are millions like them who suffer from health issues with no opportunity to afford treatment. this is an organization that i plan on giving my support to.

60 Minutes Profile

i am inspired.

before i pass away, i want to: (in no particular order)…

1) swim in tahiti’s waters

2) take pictures and process by hand in my own darkroom

3) win a rap battle

5) grow my own organic garden

i miss not having lilith fair around anymore as an option to go to due to the amazing music that arose from it. i was too young to have had the opportunity to go, so that was never something i could go off and do. sarah mclachlan founded it back in the mid-90s, and though it ran for only a few times, it definitely brought up and encouraged a new generation female singers and their instruments.

i think what also made it unique was in comparison to warped tour and ozzfest, both respected in their own rights for their music and bands that joined it, lilith fair had a much more slower, and earthy feel to it. it could be attributed to the fact that lilith had an all-female lineup, but when it comes to it, i believe that it is because of the content and nature of the music presented. a lot of music critics even thought that the idea of a female-led tour would flop, however, it ended up being sold-out and large success!

whatever it is, i leave it with this song from jewel from lilith fair-one of her best songs ever!

ahhh, sleep. that perpetual piece of goodness out of reach on some nights, and within easy grasp on others. the study of sleep really fascinates me and as research into that field grows, alongside with what is associated with it like dreams and and how our body refreshes and rebuilds itself during the hours at night, the more scientists see that there is still so much to learn.

here are some statistics:

• Sleep problems are reaching epidemic proportions, estimated to be the #1 health related problem in America – CNN, May 1997.
• Sleep deprivation costs $150 billion each year in higher stress and reduced worker productivity—National Commission on Sleep Disorders, 2003.
• Mayo Clinic: Almost all adults don’t get enough sleep and most struggle to get up in the morning. “If we got enough sleep at night we wouldn’t need an alarm clock to wake us.”
• Lack of sleep leads to health problems; fatigue, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, shortened lifespan, suppressed immune systems and depression.
• Recent studies implicate sleep deprivation in diabetes.
• We sleep on average 6.9 hours/day, almost an hour less than a few decades ago.
• Parents of young children lose an extra hour of sleep each night. NSF 2004.
• Childhood insomnia is a high risk factor for adolescent alcohol and drug abuse—children with sleep problems are twice as likely to abuse drugs when teenagers. Univ. of Mich. April 2004 sleep study.
• 43 percent of respondents reported that daytime sleepiness interfered with their normal daytime activities, including work. NSF 2000.
• 30-40% of heavy truck accidents are due to driver fatigue.

http://www.apollolight.com/sleep_stats.html

how to sleep better:

• Establish a regular bedtime and wake up time and continue this on weekends. Make your sleeping environment comfortable, quiet, dark, cool and well ventilated.
• Use your bed for sleep and sex, not watching TV or eating.
• Place your clock out of sight to avoid anxiety about the time. Use an alarm clock to ensure a scheduled wake up time.
• Take time to relax before bedtime. Engage in quiet activity: read, journal, practice focused breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
• Take a warm bath or shower 30 – 60 minutes before bedtime.
• Avoid beverages with caffeine for at least 6 hours before bedtime. Caffeine is a strong stimulant and its effect lasts hours.
• A light protein snack before bedtime may be helpful.
• Limit fluids just before bedtime.
• Avoid alcohol in the evening. Alcohol is a poor sedative.
• Avoid naps in the daytime.
• Exercise regularly. It’s best to exercise early in the day, before dinner.
• Stop smoking. This eliminates the stimulating effects of nicotine.
• If you do not fall asleep after 30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing with low impact lighting, such as listening to music or looking at a magazine, or something totally boring, such as reading a book about something that does not interest you. Return to bed when you feel sleepy.

http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/substanceabuse/insomnia.cfm