U2 show at UMN was simply amazing. Thanks to the thunderstorm, we can officially say we have rain-danced with Bono. All in all, an incredible night brought together by one of the world’s greatest bands.
Devil’s Lake, WI (Taken with instagram)
Double rainbow over St Paul - beautiful (Taken with instagram)
I love spring! (Taken with Instagram at Augsburg College)
To develop a sense of universal responsibility—of the universal dimension of our every act and of the equal right of all others to happiness and not to suffer—is to develop an attitude of mind whereby, when we see an opportunity to benefit others, we will take it in preference to merely looking after our own narrow interests.
Goals for 2011 — Time For Me…and the people who mean the most to me
2011 is the year that I want to really focus on me and doing the things that make me happy. Not that I have ever chosen differently, but I tend to put others before myself and while I cannot change that about me, I do want to add some things in my daily life to better me. Last year I downsized the number of volunteer opportunities that I dedicated myself to — this year, it is the small things that will make the big difference for me. The people closest to me are the most important priorities to me in the world, and I am hoping that these additions/priorities for me will only make them happier, too, because I will be focused on making me happy.
Goal 1: Read the Bible
I read parts of the Bible often, and I refer to them often. Two years ago, I bought a One Year Bible with the goal of reading the whole thing to provide full context to the stories that I know so well. I have read some, but I have not stayed dedicated. 2011 will be the year that I read the entire thing. I am on day 5…so I will continue to check in on my progress as I go.
Goal 2: Feel healthy
I love doing yoga. Yoga is the one exercise I do that I do not think about how much I want it to be over the entire time. Sadly, since moving to St. Paul last year, I had not even tried to find a replacement studio to my beloved former yoga studio in St. Louis Park (The Yoga Center - check it out if you live in the area because it rules). Two weeks ago, I joined CorePower Yoga in my neighborhood, and I hope to make it there twice a week - once for Yoga Sculpt, the other for Vinyasa Flow (or CP2 as its called at CP). Love the studio though. Great classes, and I have already sweat a ton!
Overall I want to be healthier in general, so I have joined SparkPeople.com and am trying to keep myself to a “schedule.” It has always been hard for me to do, since work and all the other things I like to do keep me pretty busy; that said, it is so important to me, so in 2011 I make it a habit. SparkPeople.com works for me so far because I get points for everything I do on there - goofy, but I get the same thrill from that as I do from Shopkick, Foursquare, and other apps that give me points when I participate. And it is good for me! I will continue to check in on this progress, too. And if you are on SparkPeople.com, seek me out — my username is tzzs119 and I could use all the encouragement I can get!
Goal 3: Work on my abilities
I started a Masters program at Augsburg College this past fall. I’m so excited to start my second class on Saturday - the course is called Self-ID: Values & Personal Growth. I cannot wait! I have heard its one of the best courses in the program, especially for me right now when the next part of my goal is to…
continue learning new things! In addition to my work life and my school life, I try to keep myself busy with things that make me happy and help me grow. In addition to obviously spending time with my family and friends (which keeps me grounded), I want to keep growing by pushing myself. I’m kicking off the year with an Acting for Non-actors class. I am SO nervous about it, but so excited about the opportunity to put myself out there and give it a try. Overall I just want to feel strong in my abilities, and by pushing myself, I hope to keep feeling stronger and grow more confident both personally and professionally.
As I have posted previously, I have a long reading list that I want to get through someday. Right now I’m reading Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. I hope to check off at least four of the books off that list this year.
Goal 4: Learn the guitar (finally)
I have had a beautiful guitar for over ten years and never perfected the art. 2011 is my year. 
Do you have a goal for 2011? Please share—I would love to hear about it.
Top 100 Works in World Literature (aka my new reading list)
I keep seeing notes on Facebook of a list of books the BBC supposedly thought most people would only read 6 of over their lifetime. I got to digging, because I wanted a real reading list to follow, but that BBC list was not doing it for me (seemed to be missing a lot of incredible texts, and had too much modern works in it…I love classic novels). So through a lot of digging, I found a great list compiled by the editors of the Norwegian Book Clubs, with the Norwegian Nobel Institute, who polled a panel of 100 authors from 54 countries on what they considered the “best and most central works in world literature.”
The list is alphabetical, and reposted below (see link at the bottom). I followed the instructions on the BBC Facebook posts: I am bolding those books I have read in their entirety, italicizing the ones I have started but not finished yet (or read an excerpt).
Read more: Top 100 Works in World Literature — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0934958.html#ixzz17rnZoMFk
Best Buy Unveils New Research Study on the Connected World
From Best Buy News site — Company issues ‘Our World, Connected’ study on consumer behavior and new social connections.
New Microsoft Store in MOA across from Apple Store
Yesterday we checked out the new Microsoft Store immediately across from the Apple Store at the Mall of America. I am an Apple fan and have lots of Apple products, so I know that I am biased and I will not pretend not to be. Have you been to a Microsoft Store? Is there anything there that is not a copy of the Apple Store? I felt like I was in a pseudo Apple Store where instead of being inspired, I just saw a lot of PCs. Why didn’t Microsoft create a new environment instead of copying Apple? It seems like an opportunity missed.
Check out artist Hugh MacLeod. I just finished reading Linchpin, by Seth Godin, which I hope to write a brief review on asap, but was stopped by this great piece near the back of the book. I love this! I love all his work on his website http://gapingvoid.com. If you aren’t familiar, you should check him out. This inspired me to find his book, Ignore Everybody, too.
