Must. Put. Away…. Camera.

Dani and Marga at breakfast in the small town of Anaconda, MT (Sunday before Memorial day, 2009)

Today I went back in to my workplace, where I now only work about 5 hrs a week (down from 25, gasp), and spontaneously burst into song as I entered. My boss commented upon this and my otherwise (somewhat newly) cheerful manner with some happy surprise.

Insert Gratitude:

I’m very thankful that I have the ability to step away from work that was wearing me out and taking me too much away from my primary interest of thesis work (and wine and photography and hiking…).

I’m grateful to have had the work, which rescued me from a dire situation some 12 months ago, and grateful for all I’ve learned over the year. And, indeed, grateful for the little bit I am able to hang on to, which carries with it much less responsibility and much less stress.

After work I found myself craving leftovers from my birthday dinner (it was Tuesday, I’m 29 now), so I called up Julie to inquire as to the availability of said leftovers and the answer was ‘yes’.

Gratitude:

A wonderful, caring and understanding girlfriend who happens to be an awesome cook, wine connoisseur, brilliant artist and thesis cheerleader all in one. Thank you, Julie.

Sunset tonight

And after dinner (wonderful again!) at Julie’s I couldn’t help but race to an open vista to try to capture a shot or two of yet another amazing Montana sunset. And thus, perhaps, the impetus for the title of this post: as in I need to put down yet another pleasure filled activity to commit myself more to the thesis.

I debate this internally though. I’ve sensed greater depth of thought these last few days – work free, organizing, facing new opportunities (potential teaching, Fulbright scholarships, etc) one by one. Things that a month ago would have been put on a far back shelf are suddenly and joyfully claiming my full attention.

C’est la vie. Lived in the moment. Moment by moment. Here’s a bit of video from tonight:

Gratitude:
I live in an AMAZINGLY beautiful part of the world. And I have the luxury to enjoy that. Thank you, thank you, thank you.