"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." ~ Van Gogh

 I know I said I was going to be gone for a few days, and I will, starting Thursday.  I just have a couple more little things to share before some much needed unplug time :). You know what I mean <wink>.

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fog on a Sunday morning

a boy determined to master a board with wheels

"sledding" in the Florida sun

or nature's persistence

So many wonderful little things quickly fill such a short amount of space and time, it is easy to miss them.  But being here in this blogosphere has been nothing short of extraordinary for my awareness of these little things. 

When I participate in weekly postings hosted by other bloggers such as Soule Mama, Small Things, or Ordinary Life Magic, they are ways for me to slow down and feel in sync with others all around me in this space.  I feel akin to absolute strangers, knowing that at a given moment we are all reaching for the same thing--some depth, some connection and some inspiration.  Well, at least, I will say so for myself.  Of course I feel warm and fuzzy when people visit me here, but I know my wanderings elsewhere are equally uplifting.  I have already met so many kind, generous, loving, funny, and talented people here.  More, I dare say, than anywhere else. 

With that said, it is time for me to pass on the Stylish Blogger award I received from Rural Revival (thanks Andrea!).  There are two requirements to receiving this award.  First, share 7 things about myself.  Then, choose 7 more bloggers to pass the award on to!!  I love the number 7, it has turned up over and over in my life :).

1) I looovvve espresso.  I have one every morning and admittedly use to be addicted to Starbucks Doubleshot (the mini ones in a can).  Those are very baaaaaad for you and very addictive, so stay away!! Being half Japanese, I should love tea.  In fact, I have a lovely assortment of fresh herbal teas. But, they just sit there, in the very special airtight container I purchased, being trumped daily by the evil dark bean...

2) I love to snowboard.  I learned at 36 and earned that right to call myself a snowboarder after being unable to walk for 3 days post learning.  Living here in FL unfortunately hasn't allowed me to pursue this passion consistently, but that will change next year!

3) In my life B.C. (before children), I was a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration.  Yep, it's a mouthful.  To translate, I worked with kids who had trouble integrating their senses to function "typically".  To be honest, the kids I worked with were some of the brightest, most colorful, and endearing personalities I have ever met.  I had a firsthand look at how our traditional, mainstream, school systems boxed these beautiful kids up into a label and set them aside for someone else to deal with.  Little do these labelers know that these kids were not only amazing, but brilliant.  I  know because I worked with these kids everyday for 10 years.  I know because I have one of my own now :).

4) I have rats, on purpose.  Two to be exact, and they were the solution to the constant begging to have animals in our home.  I love animals, especially dogs. Yet, our home in suburbia with less than a quarter acre and teeny tiny back yard would be a far cry from ideal for the big doggy I would like to have.  So, as with snowboarding, being a dog owner will have to wait until the not too distant future.  Meanwhile, Remy and Spud have provided the perfect amount of joy that any rat can give.  Rats are phenomenal pets, truly.

5) Desperately, I want to learn to play an instrument.  Throughout my years, I have played the flute, the drums, the piano, and most recently attempted the ukelele.  I know, it's not the instrument.  It's me.  I just haven't found that one thing that I have enough patience to stick to yet.  I get frustrated too easily and want to play Chopin by day 3.  Ridiculous.  But, I think I may have finally found it, an instrument that will be easy to play and have me playing music in no time! A strumstick!! I learned about it from Jenna in Made from Scratch.  So we shall see...

6) I love to dance.  I don't mean dance club dance (though that is fun, too:)).  I mean contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical dance. It frees me in a way that is indescribable.  If I could it all over again, I would be a professional dancer.  Oh, and singer and musician :).  Basically I would want to be J.Lo, with an instrument.

7) I could eat Asian food everyday for the rest of my life.  Japanese, Korean, authentic Chinese, Vietnamese... all of it.  I was born with chopsticks in my hand, well, nearly...

Well, that was fun, and probably far too much information than you really wanted to know. So here comes the second part, passing it on.  These are the blogs that I bequeath the Stylish Blogger award to:

Lady Cordelia
Holistic Mama
Describe Happy
Gypsy Forest
One Little Window
EllieMoon
Living and Learning

The embarrassing part is that these blogs receive far more visitors than me and most likely don't need any introductions, awards, or links, especially from a novice such as myself.  However, it's all about spreading the love and letting these folks know that I think they've got style :).

One last thing.  I have learned that Blog Guidebook is doing free listings for a short period of time for bloggers.  The site is a wonderful collection of bloggers of several different categories, as well as many how-to's for new bloggers (and old) like me. Take a jaunt over there and list your blog, for free!!!

Thanks for sticking around if you are still here. See, all these little things always add up to something big :).
Cheers...