the best things in life are free

Have you ever had one of those days when you can literally feel your worries, fears and problems grind to a halt, even if only for a few minutes? Today I am experiencing the rare pleasure of having the afternoon off from school, work and production. I know, it's hard to believe that I could really have nothing to do this afternoon, nowhere particular to be, but it's the amazing, unprecedented truth!

Lounging in my apartment, enjoying hot, almond-flavored Intelligentsia coffee and grapefruit (I swear it's actually a good combination, despite how it sounds), mindless entertainment on the TV screen (I missed on-demand the last three weeks for SURE!), huge light, fluffy snowflakes drifting past my windows and amazingly pure, clean, white winter light streaming through my blinds, today is turning out to be a much-needed breath of fresh air at the end of what always turns out to be a difficult-to-readjust-to-being-back-in-the-swing-of-things first week of winter term.

I don't generally make New Years' resolutions because I believe that each day is new, a fresh opportunity to start whatever change we need to make for ourselves, our families or, as we say in my family unit, our "boulders and big rocks." However, this New Year has occurred with rather poignant enough timing that I gave myself leeway to make a resolution--Starting now, for the first time in my life, and definitely not the last, I resolve to take care of myself. Whether that means taking a lighter class load, removing myself from the presence of toxic situations, or taking the afternoon off for movies, coffee, grapefruit, and vegging on the couch to edit photos, I am already reaping the benefits of taking care of myself, and I suggest everyone else do the same.

Take an afternoon off, try a soy mocha with almond flavoring (DEFINITELY Intelligentsia coffee if you're in the Chicago area--it's the best) accompanied by the rubiest red grapefruit you can find, allow yourself to really "do nothing," or do something else that you love and in which you don't frequently find yourself indulging. Put Your Feet UP! Take a break!--I guarantee each and every one of you deserves it!!!





(I love the light in my apartment!!!)