Joannie at the Wasteland v.21

[Mood | Listless]

I've decided that in 2010 I'd like to gain some new hobbies. Last year I experimented with:

writing (well, I'm still writing, just slowly but surely...)
photography (still love it, but need to work on my photoshop skills)
rock climbing (I went once, would like to continue)
cooking (next Food Tuesday in February!)
yoga

This year I'd like to try:

playing a (new?) instrument (I'm thinking about getting a keyboard, but would love to try something else too)
kayaking (been dying to go up in the Great Swamp)
surfing!?
sailing (I'd like to learn more about boats)

Activities I'd like to continue:

swimming (pool membership beginning May!)
rock climbing (must find a good gym for this)
writing (I started another novel again)
reading a book a month minimum (Greg says I should do a book a week... but it's too much pressure, so I'll start out easy)
yoga!
cooking
photography

I'd also like to learn more about the history of NY, go to the Opera, see a few more plays, walk through Central Park more, learn to make my own coffee (mrmmm!) and well... just about anything. Teach me something!

~Joannie~
[Weather | Cold]
[Listening | "Piano Song" by Mieko]

[Mood | Sleepy]

I've had an amazing year. I know a lot of people have had a terrible 2009, but my 2009 will be amazingly memorable. The year started off ok. I was in Savannah, my dad had just moved out there for his new job, my mom came out to visit. I slept through ringing in the New Year... but I spent a lovely few days basking in warm weather before returning to the frigid north.

Kathleen visited. We froze our butts off. Obama was elected, I was elated. I may have lost some friends, but I also gained many more. I moved from the Upper East Side to Flatiron. I had a birthday MONTH...!

My parents visited. I ate a lot of BBQ. I held popular happy hours, I went to game nights. I discovered all you can eat fried chicken may sometimes *not* be a good thing.

I went to Europe (amaaaazing!) Went to Savannah again. Went to Puerto Rico. Went to Taiwan & Australia.

Closing off the year with Christmas in New York and I'm throwing a lovely New Year's Eve bash.

Anyway, it's been a wonderful year. I've met a lot of amazing people and seen a lot of amazing things (as well as eaten a lot of amazing things). I just hope that 2010 will be just as good if not better!!

~Joannie~
[Weather | Chilly]
[Listening | Nothing]

[Mood | Great]

Are you giving this holiday? I have a few proposals if you're considering, but haven't decided on an organization yet:

1) El Salvador - My friend, Jimbo, is currently in the Peace Corps on a 2 year stint in El Salvador, and recently (the weekend before last), the village that he had been working in was caught in tragedy. A tropical storm poured down rain which in turn caused massive landslides, which in turn destroyed most of the village (including putting Jimbo in 3 feet of mud where he was sleeping). While Jimbo was very lucky to escape safely, many people were not.

If you'd like to help, Jimbo is setting up bank accounts to get donations, but also, if you need an organization with 501(c)(3) status, he recommenede: http://www.aidelsalvador.org/

2) Winter Wishes - My company does a holiday program where disadvantaged local children send in letters (to Santa) and request gifts that they would like to receive (that their parents are unable to afford). If you're interested in reading/responding/buying some gifts, please let me know. I'll be picking up the letters on Nov 19th.

~Joannie~

[Weather | Chilly]

[Listening | "Folding Chair" by Regina Spektor]

Mood| Happy

I think I have a problem.

I love to buy books.

Probably more than I love to actually read them.

It's a very expensive problem.

Yesterday I actually went into the Strand to take a close look at all the offerings. I've been inside before, but briefly and I didn't get to explore as much as I'd like. Now? I'm obsessed. Previously my favorite bookstore had been Book-Off. A worthy opponent to Strand, but Book-Off is strictly used books. While Strand actually has low-priced new books. Yesterday I was excited to find After the Quake for $5.95 and When We Were Orphans also for $5.95. I'm tempted to go back and also get Remains of the Day since it was only $4.95.

Anyway, back to my book obsession. I've run out of room in my bookshelves to hold the books, so I need to find better solutions. Any ideas on how I should store my books? I'm thinking of installing some bookshelves all over the apartment. Above my entryway from kitchen to living room and maybe above my window in my bedroom.

If you have any book suggestions, please do let me know. I really want to read more and I'd like some good suggestions.

~Joannie~

[Weather | Chilly]

[Listening | "What Goes Around, Comes Around" By JT]

[Mood | Thoughtful]

I love it when a fresh month begins. So it's October now and I'll be spending half of it in Taiwan & Australia.

The moment I flip my calendar to a new month, I feel a sense of relief, like one down, only so and so to go before it's a fresh year. Ever since I turned 24 (in May), I've been having the best year of my life. Not only do I have amazing new (and old!) friends, new things to enjoy in New York, but also I've taken many fabulous trips through Europe, Puerto Rico and soon Taiwan and Australia. 4 continents in 1 year, who would've thought?

October marks many things for me, a segue into the holiday season, beautiful fall weather, and another month when I remember lost friends.

S.B.D. would've been 24 this year, and every year in April and in October I take time out to ponder the things that have happened in my life. Especially the people and things that I should appreciate (more!) and make sure that I keep in touch with the things that are important in life.

I'm hoping that I'm keeping on track with the pact I try to renew with myself every year; that every year I try to become a better person. To appreciate the little things and treat the people and things around me well. We only have one life to live, and we should NEVER take anything for granted. Especially relationships with the people we love. In the past 6 years, I have lost good friends, whether forever or for the moment, I'm also glad that I've also repaired friendships, made new friends and am looking forward to more people to cherish.

My very good friend, Amy, will be visiting me next week and I'm so excited to be able to hang out with great people like her. I hope that many of my new friends in NYC will get a chance to meet her, she is truly a remarkable person. She just returned from a trip to Burkina Faso [Video of Amy interviewing one of the kids in BF in French] to help the underprivileged, especially since Burkina Faso is one of the poorest nations in the world. Soon she'll be in Guatemala to work with more underprivileged people. I definitely applaud her for her drive and passion to do better in this world.

As for myself, I've been writing up new goals for myself, whether it be career, education, volunteering, learning new things.

Another month means more opportunity! HAPPY OCTOBER EVERYONE!

~Joannie~

[Weather | Gloomy]

[Listening | "Forever" by Chris Brown]

[Mood | Full]

Been on hiatus for awhile. A lot of fun things going on... returned from my trip to Europe (read explore.joannie.net for details). In a little more than 2 weeks I'll be going to Puerto Rico. In about a month and a half I'll be going to Taiwan. Then in about 3 months I'll be off to Savannah again. I guess I'll be on the road a lot, but I welcome the travel. If I don't do this traveling now, who knows when I'll ever get the chance again? Who knows when I'll get tied down and unable to travel.

New job role has started, working hard just to keep things under control. Trying to clean my apartment and clean up my finances (mainly because... as you can see... with all the traveling, I'm going broke...). Also, I'm maid of honour for Stacy's wedding.

Things are great. I'll write more once I come up with some inspiration. Explore will probably be my main blog for now.

~Joannie~
[Weather | Chilly]
[Listening | Nothing]

Labels: new york

[Mood | Happy]

Hello everyone! I'll be in Europe starting tomorrow until the 8th. You can read about my adventures at:

http://explore.joannie.net or check out my Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mebepin for updated.

See you on the flip side!

~Joannie~
[Weather | Dreary]
[Listening | Nothing]

Labels: vacation

Joannie^21.0

at the Wasteland

Finding New Hobbies

(One of) My Best Year(s) Ever

Are You Giving This Holiday Season?

Book Obsession

A Quick Note On October

Been on Hiatus

Away to Europe

About Me

Everything Else

Joannie21.0

at the Wasteland

Finding New Hobbies

(One of) My Best Year(s) Ever

Are You Giving This Holiday Season?

Book Obsession

A Quick Note On October

Been on Hiatus

Away to Europe

About Me

Everything Else

Joannie^21.0