Tennessee St.: December 2010

December 31, 2010

Little Gidding

For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.
ts eliot

New Year's Eve feels like a twisted Valentine's Day but better. New Year's Eve is more faithful to your thoughts and emotions- you want to be tangled up with your one love or want to be out being fabulous with everyone you know. Either way at least it's pretty dead on to what you actually want to be doing. Me? I'm tangled. Making dinner and having a late Christmas with my beau. But before then, I'll be having a glass of champagne with a few best Chicago girlfriends. Cheers Chicago, Colorado, Lawrence, KS, India. xx.

December 30, 2010

peace, love and a little poem

After a while, you learn the subtle difference
And between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With the grace of a woman,
Not the grief of a child,
And learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans,
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight
And after a while, you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure…
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn
And learn…
With every goodbye,
You learn.

- Veronica A. Shoffstall

I can't remember where I found this poem despite convincing myself I'd easily remember no problem. I think I stumbled onto it while reading Le Love and liked the ease of the voice in the poem. As if it's someone aged and elegant speaking, or maybe someone exhausted by love or something else equally if not more profound. I'm back in Chicago after an extended break in Colorado where I spent some quality catching up with my childhood best friends. It's always nice just to be near them. With the end of this year I can't help but feel now more than any other year that this one is really coming to a close. Next year feels like it's holding something fabulous in store. I must however pay my respects to 2010. I won't raise my glass just yet, but I will say it's been a good year.

Colorado Sky

My boyfriend took this photo with his phone. We were outside loving on the Colorado weather wearing blankets like ponchos. This tree we found interesting perfect against the clouds- black, dark and yet strangely delicate. It lives in my parents backyard where Al and I sat for at least an hour watching the sky change blues.

December 27, 2010

Goodbye America. Hello India

So I'm off to India for a 3 week long adventure that I can't hardly wait for, starting tomorrow. Aside from missing my friends, George, and my family I am so boldly excited, I know it is going to be hard to even fall asleep tonight. There is so much beauty in India. Follow T. Street because I will be posting all the pictures I take and the adventures and people I meet here! Hope you guys will enjoy.
-T.