2013 Resolutions - How did I do?

Before I post my resolutions for 2014, I thought I'd follow up with my 2013 resolutions.  You can read about them here.

Here is how I rate myself, on a scale of 1-10:

Cultivate Creativity: 7
Even though I didn't follow through with my "Project 52" here on the blog, I was very intentional about being creative.  I experimented in the kitchen (here, here, here, here, here, here, here) and I challenged myself artistically (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here).

Moisturize More: 9
I have extremely dry skin!  Even though I (now) live in a very humid place, I still have to moisturize my skin.  This year I have been using coconut oil instead of lotion.  I put it on my face, neck, chest, legs, and hands.  It works really well and I'm glad to have a natural option.  You should try it sometime!

Have Abundant Adventures: 15
Well, I finished my Master's degree, got married, and moved to Brazil!  I'd say those things are very adventurous, wouldn't you?

Of course, these are just a few examples of life in 2013.  Feel free to browse through the blog to read about my crazy life this past year.  Hopefully 2014 provides a little bit more stability and just as much happiness!

Should have

I should've (should have) gone to the store yesterday.

Tell your friends.

2013 Review

2013 was quite eventful!  I finished my Master's degree, got married, and moved to Brazil!  Whew!  I wonder what will happen in 2014?!?!

I have big aspirations for 2014, which I'll write about in a later post.  In the meantime, here are my favorite posts from 2013.

January

Baked grapefruit with meringue topping

February

Mini-Adventures

March

My toddler romance

April

Life via Instagram

May

Getting my Master's degree

June

Favorite childhood memories

July

Alone with my tea - a video

August

Living by the beach in Rio de Janeiro

September

Our wedding ceremony

October

How to host a Persian tea party

November

A magical sunset

December

A much needed vacation to Paraty

You can find all the rest of my blog posts in the "archives" located in the right sidebar.

(In other news, I'm feeling really old.  Peter's sister is telling us all about her first semester of college and I'm remember my first semester of college, and it seems like sooooo long ago!  8 years, can you believe it???)

What is your favorite memory of 2013?

Merry Christmas!

I asked Peter to find a cute picture of us and put "Merry Christmas" on it.  This is what he emailed to me...

One sleep left

As my Aussie friends would say, only one "sleep" left until Christmas day!

Who's reading my blog on Christmas Eve?

I'll try to get organized and post "Merry Christmas" picture from the newlyweds, but in case I don't get around to it - 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Beijo, beijo, beijo

Paraty - Part 5 - Colorful Accents

Are you sick of Paraty yet?

Part 1 - Boat

Part 2 - Church on a Rock

Part 3 - Waterfall

Part 4 - Snail on a Rail

The colonial town of Paraty is characterized by white buildings with bright, colorful accents.  Peter took a horse-drawn carriage ride around the town and captured as much of the colorfulness as he could.

Photos by Peter Arthur, except, obviously, the one that he's in...

What do you think of this town?  Wanna come visit? :)

Chamber Music by James Joyce

I recently discovered a book of poetry by James Joyce, and I'm obsessed!  Chamber Music is a collection of love poems.  The origin of the title is not so romantic, but I like to think of it in the musical sense, rather than the intended urinary pun.  For poetry is so inherently musical, after all.  In fact, many of the poems have been set to song, as was Joyce's intent.  

My favorite poem from the collection is the first one listed.

Strings in the earth and air
make music sweet;
Strings by the river where
The willows meet.

There's music along the river
For Love wanders there,
Pale flowers on his mantle,
Dark leaves on his hair.

All softly playing,
With head to the music bent,
And fingers straying
Upon an instrument.

Are you a poetry lover?  You can download Chamber Music for free via Amazon.

Paraty - Part 4 - A Snail on a Rail

Can we just stop for a second and admire this totally adorable, tiny snail?!?!?  This thing was ti-ny!

Although I almost smooshed the snail with my hand because it was so small I didn't see it, and then squealed and insisted Peter come over immediately to take some pics, I am proud to say no snails were harmed in the taking of these pictures!

(Snail photography by Peter Arthur)

This snail was found in Paraty, Brazil.

As some of you have noticed by now, comments are back to normal.  I have noooooo idea what happened for a few months, but I realized that people were unable to comment.  I think it had something to do with blogger putting everything on Google+ (which I didn't want)... So I think I fixed it an now everything should be back to normal for commenting.  If you want to leave a comment but don't have any of the IDs listed, you should be able to create a "Guest" post and put your name in, or just post as "Anonymous" and sign your name after your comment.

Thanks, everyone!

Paraty - Part 3 - Cachoeira do Tobogã

The second day of our visit in Paraty we went on a mini hike and visited the Cachoeira do Tobogã... a natural, river water slide.  I didn't get in because it was a little bit too chilly for my liking, but we had plenty of fun watching the locals "surf" down.  

"Bar of Tarzan"

We had to cross a hanging bridge:

So. Much. Green.  :)

Are we at Disneyland?  Nope, just in the middle of the jungle, somewhere in Brazil...

I asked Peter to take a picture of me...

Then he went all paparazzi... 

I could hear the "click, click, click" of the camera...

And I'm like, "Okaayyyy enough pictures now!"

(Photography by Peter Arthur.)