Dearest Portland,

Thank you for being beautiful today. I will miss you, but....I am really excited to go home and wear shorts, slippers, and clothes that do not cover my entire body. But I'll see you in 2 weeks. Try not to get TOO cold. I am not a fan of scraping ice off of the wind shield every morning.

Ciao ciao!

Almost there...

Spiritualism

I will not even attempt to discuss religion here because simply put, it's something BEYOND me. I have one, and there's so much anger and animosity towards it. I try as an individual, to stay true to my religion and respect the religion and beliefs of others (as everyone should). You can have a religion, not have a religion, believe in God, believe in several gods, or be an atheist. As long as you know what you believe and why, have a good heart, a kind soul, a concern and compassion for others and an open mind that is respectful towards others...kudos, you're wonderful already. What I am DEEPLY intrigued with is ones own spirituality. Where did it come from? Do you connect it with your faith/religion? Is it deeply rooted from your upbringing or is it something you had to find on your own? CAN you find it or should one just possess it? Do you consider yourself spiritual to avoid being religious? Do spirituality and religion go hand in hand? Are you spiritual because you are unsure which religion you identify with? Do you (and I) romanticize it? Do you have time in your day to be a "spiritual being"? What the HECK does it mean to be a spiritual being?? And why the HECK did I just ask 21 questions about it. I told you, I'm intrigued with people's individual spiritualism and how they celebrate/identify it.

I feel that everyone possesses their own unique expression/inner being of spirituality. It's something we can all have a mutual respect and understanding for. I mean, who's to say that you're not reflecting, meditating or praying correctly? Who is not searching for inner peace? Personally, I pray for it every day. I think that spirituality is a journey within one's own state of mind and body. I feel that to truly connect with your inner spirituality, you must connect with your soul. You need to rid your body and mind of the toxins, waste, bad thoughts, angry feelings, etc, so that your entire self can be clear and ready for replenishment. Think about it. As one of a religious order does, they devote their lives to God. They release themselves of every pleasure known to man to the point where all that it left within them is their soul. Amazing. I don't want to become a nun, and I definitely want to continue enjoying the pleasures of life. But I want to feel that connection with my soul....without any type of intoxication.


It's hard in our culture to do this. We have incredibly SO much to distract us and keep us busy. We are working machines, masochists, and slaves to our image, reputation, lifestyle, and debt.  Not to put a downer on humanity, but we need more of it. And maybe true, genuine spiritualism is a foundation for that. A foundation for inner peace and happiness. It's all I want in people and this world.


But then again, I'm not just a "hippie who wants peace". I embrace the world and it's mistakes, because how else will we grow together? Balance is essential. Without yin wouldn't be yang. Without Brahma would not be Vishnu or Shiva. A world without destruction and "inhumanism" is impossible. A world with a little more compassion, happiness and perhaps spiritualism IS.

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Swag

Highlight of my daysss...a young man telling me every day, "Oooo Ms. Chan you've got swag [finger snap]". I've become very accustomed to the 200 year old word adopted by our youngins...S W A G ;) I love our youngins, they make me feel old, but hip at the same time. Ok, mainly because the kid says I've got swag. Ohhh yeaaa. Alright, here's some swag for y'all.


Swag swag swag. How many times can I say swag?


SWAG.

Source: piccsy.com 

70's swag. Ugh, love the 70's swag.

Source: lookbook.nu 

Comfy swag

Source: thehappynegro.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: chriszee.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Major mama swag

Source: teacollection.com 

Source: tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: swankheights.net 

Source: thesartorialist.com via Michelle on Pinterest

More 70's swag

Source: pop-break.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: pop-break.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: pop-break.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Color...swag

Source: fashion.elle.com

Source: luckymag.com 

I'm back

Ahhhh I've been away for so long. Sorry, I've been pinteresting ;) No, I've been buuuuuusy. But here are some things that should make you smile a little. I'll try to be more consistent, intriguing, and ENGAGING...promesa.

Source: imgfave.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: fairyicon.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: dearinspirationblog.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: linxspiration.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Simply put

Source: southern-cinderella-mc.tumblr.com via Shushu on Pinterest

Holler for a dollar

Source: cocktailsandcashmere.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Playing for Change

1. I love this song.
2. This video comes from a beautiful little non-profit called Playing for Change Foundation.
3. I would love to get my students (and myself) involved with this somehow :)

 

Breakfast at Celine's

This is why I love Portland...I can walk to Petite Provence in this beautiful 60 somethin' degree weather, order a delicious breakfast (and cookie- BEST cookies in town), walk over to the Barista, a little coffee shop that underwent a fire so is under construction, but in the mean time has this cute little stand outside in this lovely little quad area....order a coffee where they only accept cash to only find out that I have none, and be told that it's ok, I can get them back next time....while the people behind me are offering their dollar bills. I accepted the honor code of the Barista people, and next time I am going to tip them really well :) Then I enjoyably sit there, read my book, and eat my breakfast while sipping on my "free for the day" soy latte.

People here seem to be strangely friendly and nice. I LOVE it.

So last night was the school's Homecoming dance that I planned, which I'm glad to say turned out sooo well!!! Well I mean, not everything turned out the way I envisioned in my head. Of course there were the minor incidents through out the day like the police showing up at the school while I was decorating due to me not unsetting the alarm fast enough- and laughing at me when I told him I worked at the school..."really police officer, I'm 25!!!". And of course the entire wall of decorations (that took roughly an hour putting up that day) falling down 30 minutes prior to the dance. But that's what flexibility is for....you roll with the punches. Winter Formal and Prom...pshhh bring it on!! 

The theme was "Hollywood Knights". I decided to dress up as the classic Audrey...and of course I was the only one who really dressed up. However it was a great turn out, the kids danced the night away and just rocked it....which made the entire LONG day yesterday (it was literally a 6am-1am day) all worth it!! More pics to come.