Pretty Much a Perfect Day

Upon reflection, I just realized I just had my perfect day. A balanced day. A happy day.  Note: Last week was underwhelming full of long demoralizing meetings and a generally crappy feeling in the air.

I skipped coffee yesterday or all weekend. It made the coffee I started sipping around lunch time really work.

I tucked myself in before 10pm last night. My sister called at 10:01 and I couldn't move to answer it.

Breakfast was steel-cut instant oats (from TJs) with chopped apple, some cinnamon, and a sprinkle of walnuts. So wholesome and filling and cozy-ish.

I had parent teacher conferences today. The two kids whose parents I met with are such gems.  My eyes watered when I talked about how delightful they are to teach. 

One conference was cancelled. So I took a walk. I walk for about 15 minutes up hill and then 10 minutes back...I keep my athletic shoes in the car and switch out of my work-lady shoes. It is so fun to look at all the beautiful houses and fantasize about what living in a house might be like someday. I love the Mediterranean landscape of Santa Barbara. I  love looking down at the sparkling sea. Ocean views almost make me feel like I'm at the beach. And, I'm addicted to sunshine.

I snuck out of work early enough to run a few errands (a price adjustment on a skirt from Banana Republic).  I happened upon the bustle of the downtown Farmers Market. I missed it last Sunday in my neighborhood. The colorful  dendrobium orchids were 2 bunches for 5 dollars. I'm in love! I feel so happily indulged when I buy myself flowers. And then I greedily bought lettuces, celery, carrots, kale, broccoli.  Everything was so pretty and fresh.

I went to yoga. My favorite and original yoga studio welcomed me back, even though I've been cheating on it with groupons to other places. Andrew always says, "You mean there is ANOTHER yoga studio?" Yaaay, California!  It was a level 2 class which was challenging but luckily still doable. The instructor is so sweet and she plays really great music. And I bumped into a co-worker I admire there. I barely get a chance to talk to her at work. She is so fit and committed and has a frankness about her that impresses me. I am determined to make this a habit (again).

I love driving home in my new car. Andrew installed a bluetooth radio that hooks up to my iPhone. So my phone conversations or audio books play through the stereo. So cool!

Dinner was a BLT: an open faced tomato, fake-bacon, lettuce sandwich and a huge salad with my new goodies...and an improvised tahini/mustard/yogurt/garlic dressing. Andrew and I polished off our refreshing dinner. I got in the bath while he drove down the block to pick up his latest goods from the pottery studio. Which I am now going to admire.

 I know everyone is reading them right now and probably already knows but I am loving a Game of Thrones. I refer to it as a fairy tale because in general the genre of science fiction is rather off-putting to me. It really is so good! Going to go snuggle with it right now...

P.S. Does this blog post look naked with no picture?

Please Breathe

I loved this ad I saw when home on Maui last summer. It captures well what Hawaii is to me.

This clip came to mind during yoga practice. I was reminded that my primary relation is to my own breath.  Being conscious of your breath is so valuable. I am finally getting this after 28 years of unconscious, involuntary breath.

I am...

Reading…"The Middle Place."  It has a cancer-theme so part of me thought enough already while the other part of me thought the-cover-is-so-appealing and Oprah-Magazine-recommended-it and there-it-is-sitting in-the-library's honorback-pile.  

Keeping…my spirits up. Yoga, great friends, a fun job (kindergarten!), and an easygoing boyfriend all contribute greatly. So much to be grateful for.

Baking… A gigundo Italian squash a neighbor offered me from his garden.  For ratatouille-ala-Emily.  But thinking about baking coffee cake .

Watching…last seen: Friday night double feature of "Shrek the Halls" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Gosh we are wholesome.

Making… Vegan food. And not deliberately.  I find windows to grocery shop ｗhen not headed home therefore avoiding things that require refrigeration (eggs, butter, cheese, yogurt). Guess I have to fatten my man up on olive oil.

Grinning... over the 2 month-old Bulldog puppy I saw at a coffee shop today.  She was a drawing a crowd with her sparkling-pink-collar and roly-poly piglet-like body. Is my new affinity for bulldogs due to my results on an online quiz entitled, What Dog Breed Are You?

Admiring...the white gerbera daisies sitting before me, carefully arranged in an Andrew-made-vase. Flowers= the best $2 I spend at the Farmers Market each week.

Congratulating…Boyfriend for completing his Oral Exams--now an official PHD candidate, Sister for finishing up her part in decorating the Trump Tower in Honolulu, and Cousin for running the 13.1-mile Las Vegas Rock n Roll Half Marathon, to raise funds for a cure for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

What's up in your life readers?  Feel free to comment with a verb from your life.

Part of Something Beautiful

I've been really feeling this:
 
 This song is a favorite for yoga practice. Moving my body makes me more in my body and less in my head. Doesn't this song just make you want to drop into downward dog and start the flow? You won't be sorry.

I have been going to a new yoga class. My abs hurt every time I laugh, which I sort of like. The instructor shared a quote that stood out to me:

The love you withhold is the pain that you carry.

Thoughts?

I heart Yoga

 
Photographing Happy Buddha in Makawao, on Maui

Practicing yoga has been on my to-do list for years. I took "gymnastics" as a child, which was actually just some muddy footed country kids doing yoga stetches and somersaults in our neighbor's racquetball court. Then I had a brief love affair with hot Bikram yoga one summer on Maui while home from college. And since then it has only been in the few minutes I spend stretching after gym workouts that I strike a pose (rarely).

I've been taking 2 to 3 classes a week. I doubt I'd be as content/happy/balanced as I've been without it. The job I'm working this summer is pretty intense. High-needs tiny little kids in the poorest neighborhood in the area. The external rewards (money, positive leadership, morale) are limited but the teaching part, the actual connection with kids is powerful and worthwhile.

Before I start spewing sobs stories about life in the ghetto, I'll share some positive aspects of my yoga experience this summer:

*One class I go to plays really fun music in creative ways. We dance freely for a few minutes. It's extremely popular with around 50 people squeeze in until our mats are practically touching. The teacher has a humble sort of charisma that reminds me of John Cusack.

*I can suddenly do half-moon-pose after six weeks of falling down. My strength and balance are returning which make me think I'll be able to at least pretend to surf with my sister in Hawaii (soon!)

*I've lost weight without trying/keeping track/ or strapping myself to an exercise machine. A welcome surprise. My fat pants are falling off and my snug clothes are comfy again. hooray!

*I see the slightest suggestion of muscles on my body. Wow. I'm on my way to two-pack abs.

*My mind is clear and I feel a warm happy glow (endorphins?) which make me less likely to call my sisters/cousin/neighbors and rant about erroneous parking tickets, skunk attacks, social injustice, etc.

*My regular yoga teacher has given me prayer beads from India, vegan chocolate, and lots of compliments. Did you know I have open hips?

*I'm learning to train my unruly mind with meditation. Being aware of my breath is helping me at least recognize the path to being a calmer and more present person.

*Free tea.

Anyway, I strongly recommend it.