La Grande Odalisque

I've been struggling with feeling good about my body for a long time.  I'm healthy, relatively active, and take care of myself... but I've never had a supermodel body... and I have a curvy figure and a bit of a tummy. 

I try to be positive and accepting of the body I was born with....but some days its hard not to compare myself or criticize myself. 

I recently had an unnamed man genuinely compliment my figure and compare me to classic Renaissance nudes ala Titian or Ingres or ancient Egyptian papyri.   He called me "Odalisque."  And I don't think I've ever felt sexier!  Maybe some wouldn't take this as a compliment, but he intended it as one an I, being the art history nerd I am, took it as one.  And I've sort of thought it myself in the past... seeing my own figure portrayed in classical paintings! 

I don't know if there are other men out there who will think this way... but I shall savor the compliment and try to own my Odalisque bod.  :)

Life as of late....

The last couple months:

Flying, flying, flying.   (And really enjoying it again. Love my job).

Still pining for a good guy.  (Optimistic despite a really awful track record).

Trying to make positive changes. 

Debating whether to get in touch with old friends I've lost touch with.


....so pretty much the same as always! :)

Tonight I'm having a holiday dinner with Christina & Annie.  Making pumpkin curry shrimp over rice with roasted baby artichokes!  Yum!

My thoughts lately include a lot of fantasizing about having a nice steady boyfriend who I have a blast with, laugh with, cook with, travel with, shop for vintage clothes with, peruse art museums with, have intellectual and spiritual discussions with, and eventually can marry & have babies with!!  Am I desperate?? ugh.  I think it's normal to want this.  Online dating has been ... not so fruitful.  Dear dating gods...please send somebody my way!!!! 

Being constantly told I'm pretty, cute, beautiful, or have "nice boots" by random men while I'm working has not resulted in Mr. Right...just affirmation that I'm nice to look at (apparently) but no one makes a further move. !!??(*&?( argh.  so frustrating. 

Sounds new-agey... but I guess I need to reverse my energy of feeling sorry for myself and pining away.  My life is great... I'm great...and the one who finds me (sooner or later) is very lucky :) 

The new year will mean enjoying my life, improving it, enjoying time with my amazing friends and family, starting a business, paying off debt, and being healthy!!  The relationship part will happen when it's right, I suppose!

Happy Holidays to anyone who may happen to read this! :)