Something Golden

The cold, brisk air is telling me that winter is coming soon. I wish Fall could last longer. The Fall I admire is the one where there are always sunny, and warm days with the trees glowing with golden and reddish leaves. There is always a bench to sit at and read a good book, or observe your surrondings. And it's always good weather for a long walk or a spontenous run. But sometimes unfortunately, Winter is the next season that carries over into the New Year- so maybe it's not all bad after all.

The flowers have fallen, just like the leaves

Hard to believe that it's already the middle of November. There are still so many things that I would like to accomplish, even this month alone. Still working on my reading regime as well as my Hindi- self taught lessons! If I could give myself a grade, I would say right now I deserve a B. I need and want to put in more time and effort as well as retaining the language. Although languages are time consuming and in full need of the regaining strength of perserverance, it always enjoyable and exciting to where it can lead you! I have a few phrases down, but by the end of the year, I am aiming to speak a couple of sentences well! I will have my list of things I want to do/accomplish before this year of 2016 is over, soon! And since it's still November, I want to write about my favorite saints, and even the ones that I want to have more devotion to. Wow, too many things....sometimes I wonder how will it be when I am a post grad with no job-yet, will I have enough things to do to keep me active, and busy and inspired? I would say most likely, since I always wanted more time to do them as a student. :)

This weekend I got to spend some nice, quality time with my sisters- a huge blessing in my life. I've tried counting my blessings when things seem to go array or when I'm down, and sometimes I don't know where to begin or even feel overwhelmed by it all. Being with my sisters is always a joy, and lifts me up since I know that they know me the best.

I would say we all look fairly different, but our chins are alike!

I love this time of day. You probably already know that by now since I have a good amount of sunset photos on here! But sometimes I really dislike it when I can't enjoy it  (I  just want to go on a nice long walk or run- or short, since it gets dark so fast) because I have to be somewhere. But thought I would take a picture of it anyway:)

The end of the year is quickly approaching. I am thinking about all that happened this year, and of course what will still happen for the rest of it. Processing what I learned, gained, hoped for and expereinced, my favorite moments and even my least favorite ones are all in there somewhere and brought me to where I am now, in this present moment, writing on Plum Tree, a blog that I never knew I would start or even keep up with. Cheers! And to many great moment to come!:)

Reading By The Minute

This week...hmm should I say eventful, busy, reflective, and even peaceful at times. I try to savor the little moments, like reading a book for 15 minutes, or even learning Hindi or going for run- since these things can be hard to do at times with the rest of my schedule somewhat packed and tight. I've learned that this is just the beginning, since there will always be busy times in life, it's just how you use the time (perhaps minutes) you've got.

I became concerned that I wasn't finishing as many books as I wanted this Fall. Yes, I have a pretty busy schedule, but it wasn't impossible. I also had a difficult time actually sticking to a book. I have an easy time finding some but once I flip some pages, I no longer feel that this book is for me. But I recently did stick to a book, till the end and made time to do so. I figured I didn't have to rush home with all the traffic. I could sit on a nice, inviting bench and read for about 10 or 15 minutes. I don't have to rush from activity to activity, instead I can slowly transition which will lead to less heart pounding, minute ticking in my head and just lead to more peace all around. I found that by reading on this nice bench at school, I was able to observe more- to enjoy my surrondings, not rush through life without appreciating all the things that are around me. I was able to watch passerbys and hear some of their conversations (such as the Presidency), and live in the moment, catch my breath. I noticed how much reading I could do in that short yet productive amount of time! It's all about being innovative with what you have, whether that be tangible or intagible goods.

The cherries behind me. I wouldn't have notcied them if I walked right by them and didn't stop and sit on that bench.

I saw this tree, and I my mind immediatley thought of these long branches, and so many of them- of all of the ideas and inspirations that our minds can imagine. This was inspiring to me, and so I decided to stop at this nice bench:)

I am excited to share the books I have finished this Fall. At this point, I still have at least 5 to finish before December 21st, which is the first day of Winter. There are also still many things I would like to do and accomplish, and crazy to think that this year of 2016 is fastly approaching to an end. Some of these include finishing the sewing project that is soon to be done! I also want to get back into knitting again, keep up with my language studies, organize my tutoring materials/notes, and try out more new recipes to post on Plum Tree, as well as my own cookbook archive:)

While on my run, had to capture this beautiful pink undertone sky!

Nice snack while tutoring! I gave my student a cupcake for an early birthday (homemade by my mom from wedding reception), and I got two in return! Ha

It's November! Which means Family, Turkey and Cooking! Had to get some new recipes from this cooking food magaize:)

Coming up: I am planning to make a Turkish dish, just want enough people to enjoy it, and Friday night can leave people to scatter. Also, favorite books from 2016, favorite words from all the languages I have and am studying and some creative projects!! Till next time..

A Week in Photos

So much has happened since I last wrote. The weeks get busy, and I often find myself scrambling for extra time; time to rejuvinate, reflect and lay low for a while. Plum Tree helps me do that. :) With the non ending speed of school going at a fast momentum among my tutoring job, the weeks just seem to wizz on by. Some days I crave to go on a nice fall walk or run, with or without the rain. This time of year, like all the rest, comes only once a year and how fast it truly goes. Hello November, and all that you bring! October is my go to, by November isn't too bad either, maybe perhaps the onset of Winter gets me nostalgic of all things Autumn.

Here is the past week or so in photos, including beautiful red leaves, tutoring, my Sister's and Brother-in-Law's Wedding reception, Halloween costume..

recreating Frida Kalho for Halloween

Bridesmaids

Giving my Toast! Everything turned out well, the tears came after...

With the family

My sister, the photographer

Love these red leaves, with the back drop of the sky!

Tutoring my student

The beautiful wedding cake, my Mom made it!

My toast to my dear sister

October has been a world wind. Busy, fast paced and a lot of emotion. I think Autumn usually brings about strong emotion, melancholy and nostalgic feelings can come easily, and change is never easy, but a necessity- a fact if life. October has brought change in various ways, and although it can be hard, it is beautiful as well. I feel that it's ironic that I consider myself really bad at change and transition, yet Fall is my favorite season, the Queen of change. But all good things come in due season. I can't get the wedding recepetion out of my mind. So many beautiful emotions, it was such a special day to celebrate with friends and family, many of whom I hadn't seen in a while. This day will always hold a very special place in my heart, and feel that most words could not descibe everything that I was feeling and expereincing. Joy was one of them, yet still it cannot thoroughly do justice. I have so much to be grateful for, and the elegant and radiant day showed me just that. Salvador and Elisabeth were glowing and showed me so much about things that my heart had not yet unraveled. Their love is so strong for eachother, it makes me only want to grow a bigger heart for others.

I am still trying my best with my Autumn list, not forgetting it or tossing it to the wayside, but doing my best to achieve small goals. Finishing books is slow, and picking up Hindi is a process, but I think it's not all about checking things off, but instead of enjoying it all, and see where it leads.

Today is the first day of November, a beautiful and meaningful month. And today is all Saints Day, remembering and praying to those whose lives were great examples. I have a few of my favorites, but I think that will be for another post. Happy November!