July 3, 2015

Summer Routines

 the best beach is the one you're on!

Welcome to July.  What a glorious month, when time seems to actually slow down as various vacationers find their rental keys tucked under the doormat/decorative frog/whimsical and ironic hipster gnome/whatever and unlock the possibilities of the restful summer weekend. I have come to the conclusion reading over the viewing stats of RWF carefully meditating in the summer sun, that summer changes routines.  I think it’s an important concept to embrace–it helps delineate the passing of the year.  Here are some of the changes I notice in myself: Changes as I Embrace My Summer Routines 1. Coffee.   I don’t drink as much coffee in the morning during summer months.  It’s nice…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

July 1, 2015

Summer Breathing

 a scene for summer breathing

Summer breathing is different in The Alps. First, summer breathing is different in general. It exists deep in the cosmos. The reaction is free from the weight of gravity. Spring fades into memory at the first warm inhalation. The past is left behind. Second, ‘The Alps’ itself is said as a breath, a sigh of relief into the sacred air. Things will be different here. A new season. Moreover, a new location. Most important, a new breath. It feels like dawn breaking into my body. I fall outside myself to struggle and rejoice as I breathe new air. Third, I’m caught in the headlights of foreign culture here. Language makes…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in deep fabulous

June 17, 2015

Last Week of School

 Celebrate the last week of school!

Some weeks have a theme.  For example: 1. First-week-of-spring2. Snow-and-hot-chocolate-and-books3. Eat-Salad-and-don’t-be-fat4. Completing-important-life-errands5. Cherry-blossom-trees The theme of this week in this teacher’s life is:  “Last-week-of-school”   There is something special about the last week of school.  Students are thoroughly and introspectively contemplating all you have taught them through the year while they happily study for their finals. They are so thankful and all bring you presents.  Colleagues are absorbed with the academically-rewarding work of planning units for next year.  There is an air of relaxation as the year peacefully winds to a close….   JUST KIDDING   If you believe a word of that, it’s been too long since you set…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in deep fabulous

June 15, 2015

How To Change your Perspective

 Cactus flowers-a study in perspective

This Monday is in desperate need of a lesson on ‘How to Change Your Perspective’. First, the rain does NOT help my ‘be-positive-at-work’ mission. Second, talking should be outlawed before 10 AM. Third, my alarm went off in the middle of my REM sleep.  So, without further ado, here is my Master Class on How to Change Your Perspective at 9:23 AM on a Monday morning.  I like to look at relaxing pictures. I know-it’s not some complicated, multi-faceted solution. But it’s beautiful in its simplicity. Also, you can stay more present during the weekend by taking pictures you know you will want to  look at Monday morning.  Here are…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in work fabulous

June 15, 2015

How to Do a Walking Meditation

 Pick a place to do your walking meditation

On Sundays, I like to do a ‘walking meditation’. I like the feeling of deliberate non-purpose, and I feel it best when I’m moving. My thoughts tumble through my surroundings like river stones, turning through the infinite landscape in quick somersaults, allowing me to smooth my edges and get ready for the week ahead. I’m amazed by where my mind goes undirected. There is something soothing about the way thoughts expand when they are not under pressure.  Like clouds. How To Do a Walking Meditation First, let your mind go free. For example, I think about the people walking in front of me and how long they’ve known each other….

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in deep fabulous

June 13, 2015

Eco Fashion

 There is always a choice in fashion

Deep in my latest social justice kick, I have turned my considerations from manicures to eco fashion clothing production.  So, what does that have to do with me, you ask? Try the exercise below.   First, go through your closet and check the labels on your clothing.   Second, separate your various styles of black leggings stylish, graphic-print summer wear collection by country of origin.   Third, look for a pattern. It will likely look something like this: The garment production industry is totally un-fabulous.  In fact, environmental and social consequences of clothing production in this world are horrifying.  For example, did you know it takes 200 tons of water to…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in deep fabulous

June 10, 2015

Get Ready to Climb Mont Blanc

 A reminder to do things that scare you

I have a new objective: to get ready to climb Mont Blanc this summer. It sounded like a great idea when “summer” was a vaguely defined pipe dream on the horizon of my thoughts.  Now that “summer” has arrived and I am trotting off to climb the highest mountain in Western Europe in 10 days I’m a little bit terrified. I’ve had to remind myself (generally while I’m looking through expensive piles of waterproof outwear, envisioning the cushion an orange North Face Summit Series windbreaker will provide when I fall into a 1,000 foot crevasse) that being a little bit terrified is not a bad thing.  It means I am…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in deep fabulous

June 8, 2015

How To Be An Adult

Ever since I graduated high school, I’ve thinking thinking about how to be an adult. I remember quite vividly the moment I realized the whole process was going to be moderately uncomfortable.   My friend and I had just landed in Figi for the beginning of a year of living in trailer parks and working for minimum wage in Australasia post-college “mental expansion”. We were staying at the cheapest most rustic hostel on the cheapest most adorable island, armed with an iPod each (it was a long time ago) and backpack full of vodka books. I had never been to Figi before.  I had never been to a HOSTEL before. Armed…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in date fabulous

June 8, 2015

Monday Movies

 monday movies popcorn

Yes-Monday sucks but you know what makes it better? A list of Monday Movies! Read on for some Monday movies titles that make the work week almost bearable.  Take a minute to remember the joy of the 80s and get your day on track with the following movie scenes.  Hey, go pop some popcorn and watch a few scenes. Your wok can wait, right? In no particular order…. 5 80’S MONDAY MOVIES THAT MAKE MONDAY ALMOST BEARABLE 1.  Dirty Dancing. Because nobody puts baby in a cubicle corner. If there is an anti-Monday movie, it just might be Dirty Dancing. The ultimate vacation for my mind. 2.  Back to the…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in monday-friday fabulous