I’m Happiest When…

by Alex Kent

A Los Angeles native, Lois Olsen grew up in Santa Monica, learning early that she was interested in the arts. Her parents could see it, too, and made it their mission to cultivate her passion and talent. They went to museums and galleries throughout LA to view art, and made art materials available in abundance, from elementary school on. Her college years were spent at UCLA getting her credentials in teaching and drama. When she married Neil Olsen, a graduate of Loyola Law School, they moved to a home with a view on Via Solano in Valmonte, and had four kids. Why did they choose PV? You guessed it – they love the trees.

Lois taught art, theater, English and drama at schools in Torrance, Palos Verdes and Peninsula High Schools. She taught acting with the Peninsula Children’s Theatre and children’s painting classes at the Art Center on top of the Hill. Becoming involved with Las Candelistas charity group rekindled Lois’ love of the visual arts. She helped them with their crafts and skits, and made many of the posters for their “Walk on the Wild Side” event, which used to take place in Portuguese Bend, though now is held at Rolling Hills City Hall. This led to her drawing illustrations and that in turn brought her full circle, back to her painting.

Reuniting with the painter in her, Lois has become more serious about her own artwork. She went through a pastel and water colour phase, working with live models and created stunning images of costumed figures and portraits – remnants of her theatre years. She branched out into oils and acrylics, experimenting with scenery and abstracts. “I love painting abstracts – it’s so freeing.” That freedom translates as a ‘magic touch’ in her wistful, yet realistic paintings and pastels, reminiscent of the pre-impressionists of Degas and Cezanne.

Over the past five years Lois has moved into sculpture, creating originals in plasticine clay and casting them in bronze. Small and medium sized animals from Africa come to life in her hands. Her realistic head-and-shoulder busts of people in ceramic clay are fired, then glazed or given a patina. Every creative experience inspires another; “I’m looking forward to experimenting with multi media sculpture.”

On the first Sunday of each month Lois gets together with   approximately twenty other members of the Experimental Artist’s of South Bay (EASB) at Summer Studies on Lomita Boulevard in Lomita. One member of the group will suggest a favoured medium or a new tool, and they will all do a piece using the same materials. Introducing newness into the process of making art creates new aspirations for each of them, which pleases Lois no end! Nowadays she paints “All the time!” In artist-talk, that means at least once a week.

Her home life is just as vibrant as her artwork; Her husband Neil, never having known his grandparents, wanted his grandkids to know them, and he came up with an idea: when a grandchild turns ten year old, Lois and Neil take them to someplace in the United States. When they turn thirteen, they get to go to Europe. You can well imagine how tight this extended family has become with such open-minded and generous grandparents!

Lois has expanded into various areas of the arts; she is a member of  the Pastel Society of Southern California, a member of the South Bay Watercolor Society, and a member of the Paletteers, one of the 7 artists groups that are involved with the Palos Verdes Art Center, and is also a member of TAS - The Artists Studio art gallery located at the Art Center. A second outlet called “The Village” is located on Deep Valley Drive and Dry Bank, off of Silver Spur. There, Lois is part of the co-operative of artists that helps staff and keep the gallery open daily from 10:00 – 5:00 pm daily.

The Artist’s Studio are the ones responsible for the Artist’s Studio Tour in Palos Verdes once a year, where for only $20.00 one can see 10 studios and enjoy a movable feast with a bite to eat at each site on both Saturday and Sunday on the weekend of September 10^th and 11^th.

If you are an artist interested in becoming involved with the Artist’s Studio Gallery, Lois suggests getting an application from either of the galleries. “They jury three to four times a year.” You can call the Studio at 310.265.2592, or the Art Center at 310.541.2479.

“I’m happiest when I’m painting or sculpting, for the sheer pleasure of creating”, Lois beams. Maybe you will be, too.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Lois Olsen,Las Candelistas,Walk on the Wild Side event,water colours,oil painting,sculpture,Experimental Artists of South Bay (EASB),Pastel Society of Southern California,Paletteers,Palos verdes Art Center,Artist's Studio Art Gallery,Artist's Studio Tour - Palos Verdes,Niki Chanel,Valmonte Living Magazine

One of a Kind

by Alex Kent

Living in Valmonte, I don’t get to the other side of the Hill very often; I rarely have much reason to go… until today. Today I was on my way to meet Miss Banken.

Driving over the Hill on Hawthorne, I was treated to a long view of clear skies and the deep blue, turned right at Golden Cove and in minutes was in Lunada Bay village. Atop the Pacific coast bluffs decorated by sea and sunset, where the ‘other’ fountain is, I stepped out of my car and discovered a sparkling gem – Annie’s Boutique.

Those of you who know Lunada Bay may remember Max’s Place, clothing for women, where Annie worked for eight years. When the owner decided to downsize in 2009, Max gave first refusal to Annie for the store. Acting quickly, Anne grabbed the reigns and made a dream come true.

With an art history major and her love of people, the store evolved into what is now - a Who’s Who of local artisans. Many of the designer labels she carries are those of people who live in Palos Verdes, some of whom teach at the Art Center on top of the Hill.

It takes so much going right for a business to succeed, though Annie takes it all in stride; “Everything just seemed to grow into the mix.”

Her first artist was Rosa O’Leary, who works at the Lunada Bay Barber Shoppe during the day, making jewellery by night. Maria Coleman, also known as “Hand Made Maria”, went to PV high; she collects vintage clothing and appliqués contemporary and custom designs onto them, like dancing bears or Palos Verdes High School emblems.

Annie was telling me how she caters to local shoppers and loves the feel of the community: “I grew up here. My parents and friends come in, all the time.” As we talked, a vintage tie-dye slip caught my eye and Annie informed me it was made by Kim Stoneman who named her company “Gus”, after her dog.

Visitors to the store will find a collection of pashmina’s tucked in the corner, hanging near light-weight jackets and elegant evening sweaters hand-crocheted by Lois and Juan of RAGZ, priced from $140 to $260, well worth the price and the drive.

Another PVHS friend, Christie O’Donnell, makes earrings by wrapping delicate gold-filled wire around semi-precious stones. Lori Bailey hand-knots necklaces and bracelets incorporating semi-precious stones, while Stephanie Trueman’s designs echo the art of ancient Egyptian or Victorian artifacts. Custom pieces are also available; just ask.

But clothing is not all you will find here. Fred Straeter paints small canvases for Annie in the plein air style - natural landscapes and still life’s painted in situ. As you step into the shop, look for the one he painted of Annie’s storefront.

The whole feel of the place is comfortable - like you’re on vacation. Maybe it’s because of the flower boxes designed by Tim Lulejian that lend that relaxed feeling to the surroundings by incorporating orchids into his live art pieces.

Annie also handles “off-price” items from, Anthropologie, Free People and Urban to offer a variety of style. She concentrates on current fashions that are affordable from teen to mature in all sizes, but the main name of the game is unique, casual, and one-of-a-kind.

Handbags range from $40 to $120; quality sandals made of leather are available, running from $40 to $60, as are stylish, rubber flip-flops sporting faux fur or rhinestones. They are to die live for!

The store is also a great meeting place for chit-chat, especially once a month when Annie’s Boutique host’s a wearable art trunk show. Several regulars popped in while I was there; all of them knew Annie by name and were interested in her opinion. One customer said, “She’s one-in-a-million; even guys feel comfortable shopping here for the women in their lives. This place is great for gifts.” Annie’s response is simply, “I love what I do. It never feels like work.”

Annie has a reputation for being honest. Her customers have grown to rely on her opinion as she won’t let them buy what doesn’t look good on them, so they get a fashion consultation in with the deal! Her philosophy is “make the customer happy with their purchase and they will come back”.

The store is located at 722 Yarmouth Road in Lunada Bay. If you’re going the other way around the peninsula on PV Drive West, Yarmouth Road “T’s” at the Lunada Bay fountain, on your way to Portuguese Bend. If you miss it and get lost in the beautiful neighbourhoods with ocean vistas, Annie’s phone number is 310.265.1101.

You owe it to yourself to take a look. You’re sure to find a treasure; myself included - I left with a smile… and a sweater.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Anne Banken,Annie's Boutique,Max's Place,Rosa O'Leary,Maria Coleman,Kim Stoneman,Lois & Juan,RAGZ,Christie O'Donnell,Lori Bailey,Stephanie Trueman,Fred Straeter,Tim Lulejian,Anthropologie,Free People,Urban,clothing,Niki Chanel,Valmonte Living Magazine

Wishes Granted

by Niki Chanel

“Mom! Come see! Look outside! There’re hundreds of guys on bikes racing past our front door!!!” This doorway was in Lima, Peru

Filled with excitement, Paul Che and his brother watched the speed, grace, and strength of the triathlon cyclists. It just so happened that the two boys had received bicycles for Christmas, and yearned to be part of this kind of action. Like a wish granted, the two were allowed to try-out for the youngsters’ team and Paul came in second… right behind his older brother. They were accepted onto a youth racing team called “los Cachorros”, which means “The Puppies”.

As they progressed through the training trials for the Junior World championship, Paul would learn his exercises and those of his brother’s, absorbing the advanced lessons, while he waited for his brother to finish, so they could go home together.

When Paul turned sixteen he graduated high school and turned ‘Pro’. His new team – “Navera Santa” – would take him and eight to ten other riders through Peru, Columbia and Venezuela; their race circuits would meander them through the Andes Mountains, Chili, Peru, Columbia, Brazil, and Venezuela. These five-to-ten day-long races are called a ‘Vuelta’, meaning tour; it’s very similar to the Tour de France, though on a smaller scale. An entire race might consist of 200 to 250 riders. They don’t stop of anything during the three to five hour race. They bring nutrition bars with them and carry their own water. A team car brings them additional water later in the race, passing it out to keep them hydrated while they ride. That’s important because in that part of the world it’s hot, 90-100º, humid, and the ride is hard; but Paul loved it.

While he was racing intercontinental endurance races, Paul’s brother had taken to the indoor track speed trials, called Stage races. Both of the boys were winning most of their races and the United States was next: the Tour of California Race. Paul rode in the pro category and won this year’s California State Championship. He now belongs to the Southern California / Nevada Cycling Association.

Ten years ago Paul started working for Circle Cycle in Torrance, one of the largest cycle stores in the South Bay. He realized he loved working on bikes almost as much as he loved riding them. “I could do this for the rest of my life!” It became his dream, but he couldn’t imagine how it would be possible – he didn’t feel he was ready. “If you had asked me in February if I was going to have my own store, I would have said ‘No way!’, but it was meant to be!” Everything came together and ‘shazzam!’… the dream became a reality by spring. “Sprocket Cycles”, a perfect name for the bike shop, opened for business repairing and fitting cycles for customers, in May of 2010.

The store has all kinds of bikes: from $150 pink tricycles called ‘Cupcake’ for three-year-old girls, up through bikes for teens, like the ‘Atomic Mini’ and Beach Cruisers called ‘Retro Glides’ to the $15,000 professional road bikes. If what you want is not in the store, it can be ordered and fitted for you. Purchases can be shipped nationally but Paul suggests that, if you want to have your bike with you when you’re out of the country, just pay $50 to $150 for airfare to take it with you.

Sprocket Cycles also carries accessories like seats, baskets and liners, bells and cup-holders, pedals, pumps, repair kits, bike racks, and more. Again, if he doesn’t have what you need, he can probably get it for you.

Paul coaches, too. He rides with his trainees every morning from 6:30 to 8:30am and has an afternoon ride on Tuesday’s, called a “Telo” (pronounced Tee´- lo) during the summer. If you want someone to ride with, join his morning or evening ride or why not visit and find out about the shop ride – everybody’s welcome.

Located at 1308 Pacific Coast Highway, between Avenue G and F, near Pete’s Coffee -you can’t miss it – there are bikes lined along the sidewalk welcoming the local passer-by. Paul hopes that people will fell comfortable about visiting, without feeling they have to buy something. “When they are ready, they can buy then. If not, we can still be friends!”

Hours are 10:00am to 7:00pm, most days. To learn more, you can call 310.540.1927 or go online to sprocketcycles.com . Bring the kids (he has a play area and toys for them), have an espresso and meet Paul Che - your friendly, neighbourhood cycling advocate.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Sprocket Cycles,Paul Che,Lima Peru,Vuelta,international endurance races,indoor track speed trials,stage races,Tour of California race,Cailifornia / Nevada Cycling Association,road bikes,racing bikes,Telo,Niki Chanel,Valmonte Living Magazine

What’s that You Say?

by Alex Kent

The receptionist kindly repeated her question.

“Yes, I would like a cookie, but no ointment, thank you.”

She smiles and asks again. “Have you booked an appointment?”

All joking aside, hearing loss is an embarrassment that many of us live with. An educator once said, “When one person in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem.” Diminished hearing leads to stress and unhappiness for everyone, and there are many types of hearing loss, ranging from mild to severe. I and was surprised to learn that some people even experience sudden hearing loss in one ear.

It is a commonly held belief that ‘old-age’ is the cause of deafness, but it turns out that 50-65% of people with hearing loss are under the age of 65 and still working. Poor hearing at work causes miscommunications and can eventually lead to lower income. Unaddressed hearing loss can erode relationships, and in severe cases, untreated hearing loss can mimic Dementia or Alzheimer’s, leading to feelings of isolation and social withdrawal, yet studies show that most people with a hearing problem delay doing anything about it for an average of seven years!

Sunni McBride, resident of Valmonte for twenty-five years and owner of the South Bay Hearing and Balance Center, explained to me why waiting can make the problem worse. When the hearing center of the brain is ‘starved’ of stimulation, it atrophies. If this specialized area of the brain has been denied sound for too long, it may have atrophied beyond its ability to be retrained. On the other end of the scale, new sounds can be ‘too much’ for an individual that has gotten used to their compromised hearing.

“In deciding which hearing device to recommend, it’s my job to consider hearing loss as well as social needs, manual dexterity, lifestyle and the patient’s pocket book,” Dr. McBride explains. For example, arthritis could make it difficult or even impossible to change the small battery in a hearing device.

I originally met Sunni McBride when I accompanied a patient to be tested to the South Bay Hearing & Balance Center. I was concerned that my friend might be nervous, but the elegant waiting room and the friendly staff made it quite pleasant. We did not feel rushed or coddled. Everyone was very professional and everything was well explained. They even put a hearing aid on the patient so she would be sure to hear all the options.

The clinic can provide custom ear molds as well as hearing aids from the top manufacturers in the world, including ReSound, Oticon, Phonak, Siemens, Widex, Starkey, and Lyric. Lyric was my friend’s choice… with a long term payment plan. In a category by itself, the Lyric, though slightly more expensive, runs on special batteries that last for months instead of weeks. The hearing device can be worn in water, during sleep and while on the phone. It’s the only extended wear hearing device available today. Since it is installed into the ear canal close to the eardrum, it is virtually undetectable and produces a very clear sound. This experience has made both of us appreciate the science and art of fitting hearing devices that allow people with hearing loss to reconnect with the outside world. Modern hearing aids can even connect with electronic things like TVs, phones, computers and Bluetooth technology. These days, someone with a hearing aid is almost ‘bionic’!

I asked Dr. McBride what interested her in audiology. She said her father was a physician who actually took a lot of time to educate his patients. She started working for him when she was thirteen years old; first with files, then as receptionist and finally assisting in the ‘back office’ during minor procedures. She wanted to go to med school and follow in his footsteps. She got her BA & MS from Brigham Young University. As fate would have it, though, instead of medical school, she fell in love and raised five kids in the Valmonte area of Palos Verdes. She stayed connected to the community by being a volunteer ‘par excellence’, participating in all the PV school affairs, scouts, sports and getting all the children graduated from college (every one of them went to BYU).

With her kids in college and beyond, Sunni returned to her first love – medicine. She earned her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Florida, and practiced with a large audiology center in Torrance for ten years. Three and a half years ago, she opened the South Bay Hearing & Balance Center on Sepulveda. She and her team have won awards and have received recognition from the community and world renowned manufacturers of hearing devices. Consequently the business has rapidly increased more than threefold.

But hearing aids may not be for everybody. If the cause of one’s hearing loss is discovered to be calcification of the bones in the inner ear, a tumor or infection, a qualified audiologist, like Dr. McBride and her staff, can refer the patient to an appropriate physician for the medical attention needed.

Even though becoming hard of hearing may not be life threatening, it is important to seek medical advice if there is a problem. Hearing loss is often treatable, improving the quality of life for everyone.

The South Bay Hearing & Balance Center is located at 3734 Sepulveda Blvd, near the corner of Hawthorne Blvd. Their phone number is 310.375.6161.

They probably won’t even mind if you just dropped by for a cookie.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Dr. Sunni McBride,South Bay Hearing and Balance Center,ReSound,Oticon,Ponak,Siemens,Widex,startkey,Lyric,audiology,Niki Chanel,Valmonte Living Magazine

A Biting Concern

by Niki Chanel

The business of straightening teeth is pretty serious stuff – without a good bite, we can’t eat properly; if our teeth are crooked, we could starve for friends. Facial appearance may be more important now than in any previous time in history, and teeth are our front and center introduction to the world.

Enter the orthodontist. Leaders in facial reconstruction (because that’s what teeth straightening really is), they are our easiest path to a permanently improved appearance to the world and a better self image, but it’s a slow process, so you want to find an orthodontist with heart… someone you feel comfortable with, for the duration of your care.

John Trotter has been in the business for seventeen years, and as you enter his office at 1706 South Elena Avenue in the Riviera Village, it is obvious that he loves what he is doing. The unconventional, open design lets in the light and allows for huge murals that transport one to an island in the South Seas, Hawaii or even down the block. Fish wearing braces hobnob with vintage aircraft flying through an untroubled sky, taking your mind off of the reason you are here. There are computers for the kids and even a movie room for those that have read their fill of magazines. He even has a display case for his extensive Hot Wheels collection!

John grew up in Downey then went to USC for his undergrad, dental school and orthodontics residency, finishing up with a Masters of Science in Cranio-Facial Biology. True to his alma mater, John has been teaching every third Tuesday in the Orthodontic Department for the last ten years, and yes, he is a Trojan fan. After college, he high-tailed it to Redondo Beach, and moved into an apartment at Beachbrook Village on Catalina Avenue and Ruby Street.

On vacation in Mammoth, friends introduced him to a Redondo Beach orthodontist, Ed Givins, DDS. John was invited into the business as a partner in 1994 and after eight years, Ed retired. Dr. Trotter has kept the business going for seventeen years at the same location. “He was a great partner!” says John, who now sees the grand-kids of Ed’s patients, as well as the kids of clients Dr. Trotter started with in 1994. “Ed passed on a great legacy.” Unfortunately, Dr. Givins passed away in February of 2009.

John met his wife, Irene, at USC in ‘91 where she was a student in the Dental Hygiene Program. They married in ‘93, and eventually moved to Via Colusa near the golf course in the Valmonte area of Palos Verdes. They have two sons, Ben and Zack. Ben, the younger, is eight and Zack is fifteen. They have an Italian exchange student living with them for the school year, Francesco, who is seventeen.

The office was redecorated in 2004. John asked the decorator to go for a Tommy Bahama look, and it is a success! Clean, airy, open, and fun while still maintaining a professional ambiance; all the latest technology is tastefully tucked away. Two thirds of his patients are kids, so the incentive programs keep kids interested in their own oral hygiene – if you brush, you collect “Trotter Tokens” to win gift cards for AMC movies, Baskin and Robbins ice cream, Starbucks or even Tillies clothing coupons, and many more.

All in all, John feels blessed; “God’s hand put me in this location… it was chosen for me.”

If you are looking for a local life-improver that speaks ‘surf’, then John Trotter, DDS is your orthodontist.

Check out the website at www.trotterorthodontics.com , call 310.373.0093, or stop by the office at 1706 South Elena Avenue, in the Riviera Village of Redondo Beach for a quick sea-side moment.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: John Trotter,Orthodontist,Cranio-Facial Biology,Hot Wheels,Dr. Givins,Tillies,Niki Chanel,Valmont Living Magazine

Cleaning Up My Act

by Alex Kent

Real Estate and spring cleaning… what do they have in common? Answer: Space.

There is only so much space on the planet, in your country, your town, your home...

I was through college and working in Toronto, Canada before I owned enough possessions to consider my first spring cleaning. Being sufficiently successful to move into ever larger living spaces as my pay increased, it was years before I noticed that things were taking over my home. I guess those around me thought that if I was so grown-up, come February/March, I must surely already know what to get rid of and what to keep.

But, no! I was under the naïve impression that spring cleaning was about cleaning – dusting, sweeping and scrubbing under the stuff that was to be returned to its rightful spot, once the suds were rinsed and dried. While the cleaning part is important, the items I didn’t use were secretly causing me stress, not unlike buyer remorse. I did some research and found it has a name: clutter.

Clutter is a disordered, confused state of being. If it were noise, it would be clatter, and living with a constant clatter would make many of us easily irritated, frustrated and unable to function comfortably - it takes effort to ignore irritating sounds. Visual clatter – clutter – can have the same effect on our psyche. I have a friend who disdainfully calls it ‘minutia’ – the small, hateful bits of inconsequential stuff that surrounds us at every turn.

We all experience it, in varying degrees, throughout our lives, from our toy-box to what we Will our descendants. We live, after all, in a material world and act on our feelings of desire to acquire. Don’t get me wrong – I love most of the items I choose to display. Things are good; but too much of anything can be overwhelming, and it can sneak up on you. I know I am not alone in this dilemma, because friends bring over items from their homes to see if I want them… they can’t bear to throw or give them away, and a visit to see me is a visit to their stored treasure – stored in my house. Here, however, there are no worries; I do the same to them : )

So, what is a homeowner to do? Throw away a tool because it’s worn, or keep it because it’s an antique? Hold onto a child’s Lego’s for the grandchildren? (Lord knows, they were pricey!) Keep the shoes that remind you of fabulous memories but are too small to get into anymore? [Unknown artist]

Now is the time to learn how to use eBay (http://pages.ebay.com/education ), or have a garage sale. Sell that antique tool and those shoes; sell the books you will never read; sell the rug that never went with the sofa; sell the stuff that was expensive, but you have no more use for… replace your things with something of equal value – money.

Another trick I have learned is to take photographs of the things that ‘keepsake’ memories. Pictures can do just as good a job of ‘holding onto the visual’, and they take up less space; turning the photos into digital images and posting them in cyber space will free you up even more! Another friend even takes pictures of her shoes before she gets rid of them. This one was hard for me, as I still try on heels from my glory days, thinking “maybe this time they’ll fit”. Take a snapshot - Genius!

A word of warning about the Lego’s: first ask your kids if they want to keep them. If they do, storage is their responsibility. Attachments to things are attachments to emotions; don’t ruin a relationship just to clean out a closet.

Spring is a time for newness; and eliminating the old is a rewarding way to achieve personal freedom. Besides, once I have created more space with all my cleaning and selling, I can start collecting cool stuff again!

__________________

Photo credits: Spring Cleaning Supplies – Nowsourcing; Hand wrench – the-funny-place.blogspot.com; Fin-heels – Global Warming Collection

LiveJournal Tags: Niki Chanel,spring cleaning,memories,creative solutions

Resolutions, Resolutions, Resolutions!

by Alex Kent

How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions?

Every year, millions of people vow to accomplish something to improve themselves… something new that has been on their mind for a while – maybe years. We all know the favourites: lose weight, stop smoking, exercise more, get better grades, make more money… and every year, millions fail to keep their promise to themselves… right about this time of year – February.

I know; I’ve been one of them.

But this year, I think I have a better chance of achieving a New Year’s goal; instead of changing my entire lifestyle, which is what it would take to lose weight, I have been eating less of one food additive – sugar. I don’t intend to abandon it entirely, just cut back. I’m going to wean myself off of the offending substance slowly, and eventually I may be able to reset my palette.

My other plan is to set forward a singular goal – something more project oriented, like writing a letter to Congress or planting a tree. That way, I will have an entire year to figure out what its going to be, and twelve months to accomplish this thing. I will likely succeed because it’s more of an occasion rather than a new habit. The big pay-off will be having more confidence in myself because I was able to keep my New Year’s resolution where others failed.

The thing that interests me about these annual challenges is that they don’t really involve anyone else. Friends and family already put up with our bad habits, nobody actually pays attention to how many calories I eat – they hardly pay attention to what they’re eating! Eating is really between you and yourself, er, me and myself. It really is a ‘me’ thing, if you think about it.

Or I could do something fun, like figure out how to get my GPS to speak in a voice I actually enjoy; ride in a hot air balloon; go to the MOMA and paint a copy of a famous painting; participate with the Catalina scuba clean-up or go on a midnight hike through the wilderness near PV Dr East. You’ve probably done all these things already, but they are all still on my list.

Following one’s passion is another good way to keep your word with yourself. Since the things no one wants to do are the very things chosen to be the new resolution, the goal is doomed before it starts. Who is going to do something they don’t want to do, just for a lark?

So, wish me luck in my quest to improve myself in new and unusual ways, and if you need it, good luck to you, too! Oh, and I hope you’re still having a happy new year!

 

 

 

43 Things Tags: New Years resolutions,MoMA,Niki Chanel,Valmonte Living Magazine