Asa-Fire on the Mountain

Just discovered the beautiful Asa, a Nigerian french singer-songwriter. This song has a hopeful and happy melody, which ironically and successfully conveys and transcends the strong message of stopping violence and the everyday wrongdoings we see, but do nothing about.
Let 2011 be a year of conscience and new beginnings.

And oh yes: About 14 days until I leave for France.
I'm currently wandering through the interwebs, searching for some french music groups. I'm open to any suggestions!

Things that should never be on holiday cable programming

frightened.

Christmas is coming...

Twenty-two days...

But no news on my long-term student visa yet... and it has me slightly worried. It seems every step of the way in this process something has gone wrong. Positive thoughts y'all : )

In the meantime, I'm caught up in Christmas craziness. The thing I'm most excited for would have to be the present I got at Target for my cat...CRACKLE CHUTE

The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

by Chantal deMontigny
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine and your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with JOY, mine or your own: if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty everyday, and if you can source your life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours or mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "YES!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me who you are, or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Oriah Mountain Dreamer is ...

Confessions of a Spiritual Thrillseeker : Medicine Teachings from the Grandmothers by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~Kahlil Gibran

Just outside of Monterey, summer cabin in the Redwoods...

Twenty six days until I fly into Paris. 

Mon français est de la merde.