Greetings, dear readers! Happy Friday! I don’t know about you, but things have been positively positive around here, swelling with new energy like crazy. I have great new things to share! An essay of mine just came out in a book, I took part in a fantastic Day of the Dead photo shoot, I went on a road trip through the U.S. southwest, and I’m starting school again in January for a total change in careers. And that’s not even counting the political changes here in the US. Lots of good going around! Read on for more!
Book Release! Nothing But The Truth So Help Me God
Last summer, I wrote an essay as a submission for an anthology and the book has just been released! It’s called Nothing But The Truth So Help Me God: 51 Women Reveal the Power of Positive Female Connection, and you can buy it on Amazon by clicking that link!
I’m part of 51 women, including Joyce Maynard and Christine Bronstein, writing about female friendship and life for an anthology that set out to share only positive stories about women! It has already received glowing reviews from Eve Ensler, Michael Krasny, Katherine Spillar (editor of Ms. Magazine), Peter Coyote, and many, many more.
My essay is about how I assisted a good friend with pre-natal yoga and then with the birth of her daughter, even though I don’t want to have children of my own. It’s about supporting friends and learning what it means to be a great auntie!
The other essays in the book cover everything from cancer and abortion to the challenges and rewards of finding friends later in life ~ the latter being someting I know we are all familiar with.
I do hope you’ll pick up a copy of the book for yourself and for your friends this holiday season, to help share the goodness and the power of positive female connection!
Photo Shoot: Tea Time de Los Muertos
I was honored to take part in a fabulous photo shoot spearheaded by my creative friend Rebecca of My Dirty Dishes and photogaphed by Barbara Jacqueline Photography!
Rebecca’s creative vision was a spooky tea party with Day of the Dead elements, which, if you know me, is one of my favorite holidays and creative visions ever! I’ve been making my own Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) art since I was in high school and was absolutely stoked to help out Rebecca.
With two other models, we spent the day helping everyone pull together this fantastic mis en scène, from tea party to tea party debauchery to ending up in the spooky elevator. It was a blast!
Check out the public photos on the Barbara Jacqueline Photography Facebook page by clicking the photo to your left or by clicking here!
And while you’re at it, check out some of my own Dia de los Muertos art on my Tumblr, Sugar Skull Senoritas and see some older stuff at my website, Spacekitten!
Road Trip: Sedona, Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, and More
I had the great fortune to take a 10-day road trip through the U.S. southwest and visit a bunch of places I’d never been to before, including Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and Joshua Tree ~ all of which were amazing! I saw some old friends and family, some familiar places, and many unfamiliar places that were jaw-droppingly beautiful.
The Grand Canyon was simply amazing. If you are in the U.S. and have a chance to visit, do not pass it up! Seeing ancient stone from the beginnings of our planet up close really puts things in perspective. We are so new to this planet and the planet has so much history! Earth beings, let’s please respect Earth and not screw it up!
Here’s a short slideshow of the trip highlights. Enjoy!
And Last But Not Least… Back to School for a New Career Path!
So! Many of you know I’ve been writing and editing for many, many years. I’ve also done other things along the way, including teaching yoga, corporate training, and even professional fire dancing. But for the past few years, I’ve been focusing on writing and editing as my career, since that is what I went to grad school for and, well, because I love it. I still do love writing and editing, but I was missing the human element, the face-to-face time, and the service aspect. One of my favorite things in life is helping people feel good! So, after a long decision-making process and TONS of research and soul-searching, I made my decision. Starting in January, I will be going back to school to become a licensed cosmetologist! OMG!
That means that all of this advice I’ve been giving over the last year in my 52 tips? It will all be legit! Haha 
A lifetime love of all things hair, skin, and makeup will finally be made official. It also means that I will be on a career path that will put me in situations where I get to work one-on-one with people, face-to-face, hands-on, helping people to feel GOOD about themselves!
I truly can’t think of anything better than helping people feel good all day. Who doesn’t love to put a smile on people’s faces? And that’s what hair stylists, makeup artists, and skin care specialists do! It’s also a very creative career, which will allow me to channel my creative (writing) energy in a positive new direction.
Helping people feel good, providing service, being creative, and working one-on-one ~ BRING IT ON! 
Staying Strong & Healthy
On that note, I am exhilarated just writing this post! But with so much going on, I definitely need to stay grounded and healthy. It’s more important than ever that I eat super-healthy and nourishing foods, get regular exercise including running, swimming, yoga, and strength training, and get plenty of sleep, relaxation, and quality time with my honey and our kitties.
As long as I focus, do my best, and take very good care of myself, all wonderful things will continue to bloom.
Tell me, now ~ how are you??
And I’m more than happy with the way everything went! What a race! My awesome sister came into town for a week with her family, which was a blessing and joy, and a great way to relax before the race, being touristy and hanging out with good family. My race recap is short, folks:
