These days I am continually drawn back to music, music, and more music. I have a natural affinity to music. I forget that being able to play music, read it, and appreciate it is a gift. Just a couple weeks ago, a few friends & I had a music jam session- complete with guitars, voice, ukulele, cello, and a full makeshift drum set. In the past week, it's kept me going. I think there's a lot on my mind I haven't quite articulated, and reflecting on music is somehow the best avenue for me to find those words. I've found myself wrapped up in listening to music, trying to write a paper, meanwhile four hours passes, and all I've written is one page... I get so lost in the music. Maybe I can incorporate music into my Peace Corps service.

Here's a stellar video of us playing "Rivers & Roads" by Head & the Heart- enjoy!

Right, so have I mentioned I'm continuing my application to the good 'ol PC? I paused for a good 8 months or so last year while I explored other options. Yup, four years later, same story, almost. I will complete all my medical paperwork hopefully this Friday. I'd really like to know where I'm going by May, before school gets out.

Instead of becoming paralyzed by my confusion, questions, and inner conflicts, playing music seems to be just enough split between being reflective and active.

this is why we're friends

Nicole: Sarah, I made a new guy friend!
me: really? where'd you meet him?
Nicole: He responded to the craigslist ad I put up trying to find other ukelele players in the area.
me: Of course he did. And of course you did... Sounds like a catch!


We're the worst band ever....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIWubAYqpA0&list=UUZSwSTNeMWnBGJQML9_HcSQ&index=40&feature=plcp

"Carolyn Myss, the medical intuitive who writes and lectures about why people don't heal, flew to Russia a few years ago to give some lectures. Everything that could go wrong did- flights were canceled or overbooked, connections missed, her reserved room at the hotel given to someone else. She kept trying to be a good sport, but finally, two mornings later, on the train to her conference on healing,she began to whine at the man sitting beside her about how infuriating her journey had been thus far. It turned out that this man worked for the Dalai Lama. And he said – gently - that they believe when a lot of things start going wrong all at once, it is to protect something big and lovely that is trying to get itself born - and that this something needs for you to be distracted so that it can be born as perfectly as possible."
-Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies

So poignant.

Namo- Home

Home.

I can't imagine a time in my life when the memory of this Sunday drive won't bring me straight back here.

I can't imagine not living amidst this beauty everyday.

I can't imagine home without these magestic mountains.

I can't imagine never returning here.

This is home.

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to lead the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." Henry David Thoreau

Those Hot Springs

Before I moved here, I heard about crazy hippie Montanans who live in the woods and soak in the hot springs every day. Well, I won't say I made any huge lifestyle changes, but going hiking, snoeshoeing, to be exact, into the woods to the hotsprings brought me to a new level of understanding of these fine folks. A few friends & I drove through a snowstorm (see below- the signs were almost completely covered in snow) over the Lolo Pass into Idaho to the Jerry Johnson Hot Springs.

We rented snoeshoes and hiked into the what looked like Narnia snow covered woods about two miles. The hike was absolutely beautiful & when we reached our end destination, the beautiful hot springs, all I could think about was how I was supposed to take off all my layers in this freezing cold weather to get into the thermal waters. Well, I strategically placed my towel, food, camera, and boots, and jumped in. It is incredible that these natural hot springs exist the middle of the forest. I almost wish I had snowshoeing on my Montana to do list, but I guess it's still fun regardless. Here are some pictures:

Happy 62nd, Dad!

Happy 62nd, Dad!

You will always be my hero.

I know it's been quite the year of ups and downs, so I am extra thankful for you this birthday.

God bless you in this next year to come
&
Love you very much!

New & Old Friends

"We'll be friends until we're old. Then we'll be new friends." This is the line from one of my favorite Hallmark greeting cards. A week or so ago my friend Nicole sent me an e-mail with this picture in it & it made me smile. Thanks Nicole!

I've written about family time while I was home, but now I'll move on to some good memories spent with friends. While on the East Coast I got to see several old friends. My friend Lauren had a smashing holiday (PC) party in her beautifully decorated apartment. Here's a picture of her & I together (photo courtesy of Lauren):

Then I got to visit my friend Heather in Philly, and we had a packed day spent in cute cofee shops, shopping, and having an impromptu dance party in her apartamento.

I also got to visit Maria in her & Krista's apartment in New York. So so excited for them. We went for a stroll through Central Park, caught up, went to dinner, drank delicious sangrias, and then got cupcakes at a perfect bakery. On Nicole's birthday, we went to Brooklyn, rode the "hipster line" of the subway, and did all things Brooklyn including getting drinks at The Knitting Factory bar (i'm pretty sure their homepage is all instagrams), eating at vegan places, playing the ukelele, drinking fair trade coffee, and of course, visiting the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company. It was a great day & here's a picture of us in capes!

Afternoons in Montana

The last two days I went on beautiful hikes up the Rattlesnake, a trailhead just a few miles down the street from where I live. It was incredible and I am falling in love, once again, with Missoula, but mainly Montana. It is absolutely breathtaking.

A few months ago, a couple friends of mine & I went to an international film festival and saw a movie made after the poem called "Hot Afternoons Have Been in Montana" by Eli Siegel. The words capture Montana's beauty perfectly. You can read about it here: http://www.aestheticrealism.net/poetry/HotAfternoons.htm

Though today wasn't exactly a "hot afternoon" but rather a chilly, crisp, winter air, it was so... Montana...