Hope y’all had a wonderful weekend full of sunshine and summery things. Here are this weeks pictures:

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Tricia – Eugene, OR

Rocco at his skate party for his 8th bday

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Jessica – Topsail Island, NC

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Lauren – New York, NY

Vacationer on the roof of the Mandrian Soho. Summertime!

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Farrell – Los Angeles, California

My friends and I went to see the beautiful, lovely and inspiring, Gabrielle Bernstein and it was truly amazing. One of the best workshops yet.

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Carolyn – Bernardsville, NJ

Saturday at the swimming hole

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This week I have been listening to a lot of podcasts during my morning commute.  Almost every morning, without fail, a story gives me chills or makes my eyes watery.  I have loved “This American Life” since I first heard it when I was younger.  No matter how many more podcasts I am turned onto, “This American Life” always remains my favorite.

I listened to a two part series of “This American Life” that was extremely powerful.  They sent reporters into Harper High School in Chicago for 5 months; the year before the reporters were there, 29 kids were shot in and around the neighborhood.  They follow a couple students and social workers throughout those months.

Haper High School, Part One

Haper High School, Part Two

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Last week I was featured in New York Magazine for a story about international home exchange (I’m on page 3).  The point of the story was to showcase what types of overseas home swaps are available to New Yorkers.  I chose between homes in Italy, Cambodia and France.  Click thru to see which one I chose.

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(Photo: Courtesy of the owner. Illustration by Zoey Kelemen.)

Also, if you look closely, you can see that I forgot to move one of my shoes out of the shot in my bedroom.  I guess it gives more of a lived-in look, right?!

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This week I started my new job at the Clean Program and I am sitting with my best friend drinking a green juice. What more could a girl ask for?

This weekend we are going to this. We are also going on some hikes and having a picnic on the beach. Life is but a dream.

Something funny to start your weekend

 

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F:  What is your favorite thing about summer in New York?

L:  That it can go from this…

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…to this, in one day.

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F:  What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

L:  Probs gotta go with the double D.  For real though, at this point I might say headstand, mostly because I continue to be amazed I can still do it.  And it still feels good.

F:  What is your favorite thing you have purchased lately?

L:  I locked myself out of my apartment the Friday before Memorial Day.  Luckily I got back in within a few hours but the in-between time was mostly spent outside on a gross and cold rainy day.  Later that night I decided to make an evening of going to Whole Foods and accidentally spend close to $9 on bulk dark chocolate covered almonds.  They’re gone now but it was a happy accident.

F:  Are you reading any good books?

L:  Sadly, no.

F:  Have any new podcast recommendation for my morning commute?

Did you listen to this episode of On Being?  I’m really getting in to this podcast overall.  This one, Whale Songs and Elephant Loves, is also phenomenal and I’d love for you to listen to it.

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(Image via Pinterest)

It’s not quite beach weather around these parts but that’s not stopping me from celebrating the unofficial start to summer this weekend. I’m hoping to find myself a little out of town at some point. Maybe go to a bbq. Do some reading.

If you have a bit of downtime (now or later), I highly recommend listening to this episode of On Being: A Shift to Humility: Andrew Zolli on Resilience and Expanding the Edge of Change.  If you’ve been feeling a little bummed by recent things going on in the world, I think this conversation realistically speaks to what we’re collectively facing.  I’ve been thinking about the interview all week and have replayed portions of it a few times.  I truly & sincerely hope you’ll check it out!

Listen here

Lauren is the question master this week, so looks like I have some answers for you!

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L: What trait do you most like about yourself?

F: I feel like I can get a long with almost everyone. Also, I rarely get nervous about going into unknown social situations.

L:  What’s the last song you listened to?

F: “Africa” by Toto. I listened to this with Al (boyfriend) and David (brother) and we just talked about how awesome it is throughout the whole song. It is so awesome I am going to share it here.

L:  Have you been meditating?

F: I have been meditating every morning. I only do about 20 to 25 minutes since I stopped for a bit. I need to work my way back up to 35-40.

L:  Do you go to a farmers market in L.A.?

F:  I sure do. In fact, I go every Tuesday and Saturday. I am obsessed with mint. I put it in my smoothies and tea, so I get that about twice a week. I also buy my spinach there every week.

L:  Will you take a video of something and post it?<

F: Here ya go:

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Clearly I should have worn the layered button down blouse with my over-sized handbag and above the knee skirt.  What was I thinking?!  In this overly pulled together skirt suit and classic bag I screamed standard, safe…predictable.  I didn’t stand a chance under the black and white lense.  It wasn’t my fault, exactly.  No one told me that there would be a geometric overlay.  In two colors no less.  My shoes were adventurous but how would you ever know?  And it’s not like his shoes were anything exciting.  But they were visible and that’s something, I guess.  Next time I’d know better.  I’d loose the understated but eternally classic double button jacket.  I’d shorten my skirt.  And I’d inevitably second guess the change when I spotted her looking just like I do today.

As If It Were A Dream is an ongoing series in which I will pair an image with some of my own writings. Previous installments: 1 / 2 / 3

Image via here