And Heaven & Nature Sing

I like Christmas. I really do. I like Christmas music. Just not every day, ALL day, for a month! But Joy to the World is my very favourite carol and always has been, I think.

I don't like crowds. I don't like screaming children. I don't like crowds of screaming children in a line up at the mall waiting to see Santa. My version of hell. Which is why I did not set foot in a big, boxy mall at all this year.

I do, however, like shopping.

I went to stores in my neighbourhood (I'm looking at you, Lulu). I went to my local ski shop (where I happen to get a discount because I have a season's pass). I may have stopped in at a favourite soap company downtown, too.

And the rest of my shopping? What shopping? I just had to fill some stockings and buy a certain special someone something special, but not too special, but just right. No pressure!

I may have bought myself a thing or two, but I guarantee I need them. Really, I do.

Christmas starts on Friday for me. Hanging out with that special someone before we both take off to be with our families. On ski slopes both of us, but different ones. I'm hoping we can manage one day together on the slopes before we have to be back to work.

I'm excited to get away with my family to spend some quality time together. There will be lots of laughter, probably some tears, lots of wine, definitely some good food, but most of all, great company in a beautiful, mountain setting. And a hot tub.

Wherever you are this holiday season, and whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope that you are surrounded by people you cherish and by those who cherish you.

Life's too short for anything less.

Playin' in da Snow!

We played hard last Sunday! It snowed all day and it's been snowing all week. This weekend is gonna rock! The rock skis are staying home this weekend and the good ones are making their 2012-13 season debut. Oh, and the amazing day of skiing followed an 8.67km hike (more like trudge in knee deep snow) on the Galatea trail in K-country.

What else is new? I'm going to have eye surgery so that the glasses I've worn since grade 4 can finally go bye-bye. I'm not a candidate for laser surgery, so I've had to have extra tests (ever had an ultra-sound of your eye? No? I have!), lenses are made 'specially for me in Switzerland and I get surgery sometime in the next 1-4 months. Whoo hoo!

My current favourite quote: Where you invest your love, you invest your life.

Life is good. =)

My Favourite Season is Here!

Ski season, that is.

I've made it out to two opening days so far: Mount Norquay on October 25 and Sunshine Villiage on this past Friday. I made it to Nakiska on the Sunday of their opening weekend to get a few good turns in.

We went hiking yesterday at Barrier Lake. Holy moly, Batman, my cardio sucks balls! My goal this week is to get in some cardio training. Aquasize and then some time on the elliptical, I think. And maybe hit the stairs at work a little more often.

And that's what I know. I work this afternoon (the double time will help finance the season) and then I'm heading out tomorrow for another fabulous day on the slopes!

Hello, Saturday!

Am I ever glad to see you!

The past two weeks at work have been crazy. I've banked a week of overtime (thanks to an extra shift and having to stay late one night that turned into ALL night) and I'm exhausted.

But, I did have some Halloween fun:

I also had two completely unexpected lunch dates! I ran into my friend A in the mall on Tuesday and we got to have a quick lunch and catch up before she headed to her appointment and I went to work. Then yesterday, I was puttering around the house and got a "hey, do you have time for lunch before work?" text. Um, hell yeah!

Things here in my world are pretty good.

I've got a house. I've got a car (well, two at the moment: my mom's and car2go!).
I've got a friend who loves me.
I've got a good mother.
~Jann Arden

I've also got a yoga mat and a kitty to snuggle with.

Now, if only the god damned construction downstairs was over and they'd clean up their effing mess!

Today I give thanks for:

-my family
-my friends
-Nermal
-cozy fires to cuddle up in front of

May today there be peace within. 
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. 
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. 
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content. 
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. 
It is there for each and every one of us." 
~ Therese de Lisieux

Happy Thanksgiving! _/|\_

WTF? How can it be the end of September already?

Yeah, so I'm not sure where September has gone. It's like I've blinked and it's almost over. But what a month it's been!

- some pretty amazing hikes with a pretty amazing person
- some pretty amazing times and conversations with above amazing person =)
- celebrating FOUR years with Nermal. Wow. Time really does fly!
- my work schedule has changed completely (hello, early mornings and having a social life again!)
- co-teaching a corporate yoga retreat
- witnessing the last of my 'little siblings' get married. And partying with their aunties (my old baby-sitters). And realizing that family doesn't necessarily have to be related to you by blood to be family.
- getting snowed out on a hike on September 1. Yeah, Baby!
- having some pretty deep conversations (yes, we were both drunk, but still) with my SIL
- enjoying wings and pizza after the wedding with my mom, bro and SIL in the hotel
- driving a mobster car
- making plans for skiing this winter!

Life is full. Life is good. And I'm grateful for it all. _/|\_

Egad!

It's August 29. Which means my cousin turns 40 today. And in 3 short months, so does my brother. How can that be?! I'm not old enough to have a big brother who's 40!

It's been a crazy last few weeks: busy working, playing, meeting friends (new and old), teaching and spending time with Nermal. She continually amazes me. And demonstrates just how much love can change someone. In four short years, she's gone from a scared-y cat to uber cuddler. Still chatty and is always game to play. And really good at knowing when to just sit and be. I've learned a lot from her.

And summer just wooshed by! I have a good feeling about fall, though. And I'm fully equipped with a new pack that will serve double duty: day pack in summer and avalanche gear pack in winter. This weekend is going to be awesome: I'm heading out to hike in the meadows that hide under the snow in my winter wonderland.

And that's what I know today.

Blink and you miss it!

August, that is. Where did it go? How did it get to be the 21st of the month already?

Oh well. Things are looking up around here. My house is clean, my mat's made a comeback and Nerm is her usual entertaining self. Other things that have returned: drinks on the patio, healthy food and cooking.

Whirlwind July

Where did it go?! Hmmm...let's see...

-there was dinner with some friends and a friend who'd traveled from afar to partake in some Alberta fun
-there were some happy hours at Mikey's Juke Joint
-there was some walking in the woods and mountains around Canmore
-there may have also been some shopping when we went for lunch in Canmore
-there was some ice cream at Village Ice Cream, the marvelous new place within walking distance of my house (this is good, because it's more than 15 blocks each way)
-there was an amazing four days on Prince's Island listening to amazing music with friends. Chris Issak, Whitehorse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Gillian Welch, Mary Chapin Carpenter...good times.

And poof! Just like that, it's gone and we're already into August, which hopefully will bring more of the same. 

Still Alive

Dealing with shit. Well, maybe not dealing so well. Either way, I'm still here. Nerm has been generous with her cuddles, and for this, I am grateful.

It's Friday Again...and that's a Good Thing!

Lots going on in my world and I'm busy processing.

Today is my favourite day--Friday morning yoga, tea afterwards (which invariably leads to lunch) & quite possibly drinks with a friend I haven't seen in ages!

And of course, because I could sleep in this morning, I was wide awake at 0530h. Did I mention I went to bed at 0100h? *sigh* Oh well, the sleep I had was restful.

My kitchen looks like a disaster zone and Nermal isn't offering to help tidy it up. I guess that means I'm going to have to. I'll do it tomorrow--it's supposed to be rainy and gross all weekend. Blargh. Good thing I borrowed Season 2 of Numbers from a co-worker! Nothing like veggin' out on the couch all weekend!

Although I'm quite sure that there will be visits to the Farmer's Market(s), coffee, friends and yoga, too.

Happy Friday! Remember: Inhale blessings. Exhale gratitude.

_/|\_

Durga Unveiled

I spent the past weekend in good company. My teacher held a three-day workshop all about Durga.

She's a pretty cool goddess, if you ask me. She rides a lion (the ego), and has many arms (usually 8, but sometimes more. You just never know when an extra arm will come in handy.). In each hand, she carries a weapon that was a gift from the gods. She also carries a conch, which carries the sound of creation, om. She's a warrior (heck, the gods couldn't kill a demon, so they became so enraged that light started emanating from them, and from that light, comes Durga) and never loses her cool. She's also fiercely compassionate. All of the warriors who fought along side her were given the gift of jewellery making.

Our asana practices were pretty kick-asana. There were hip openers (lots of 'em), arm balances (the strength is finally coming in my right side and vasithasana is getting better), backbends (hello, eka pada raja kapotasana I, II, III & IV!), headstand, shoulderstand, heron, sundial, padmasana and yogi dandasana. That's this one:

Mine did not look like that, but it's something to work towards! I'm all bendy and feel every. single. muscle. in. my. body. I LOVE it! Like Nora says, "Well, you know you're alive!"

Other than yoga, I've been getting ready for summer. There's been some cleaning and organizing, preparing my patio (I bought a Campfire in a Can. I can't wait to be warm in the evening!), planting my plants: sweet peas, begonias, and mint. Lots of mint. For lots of mojitos.

Practice, practice, practice. That's my mantra these days and I'm feeling it in my mind, body and spirit. And that's why I do it...

Om shanti shanti shanti

_/|\_

Fantastic Friday!

I love having every other Friday off!

I love my Friday morning yoga class. That goes for caffeine afterwards. We talk, we support, we laugh, we cry, we eat and we drink. Sometimes we shop, too.

Today I got home at quarter to four. What great conversation! Great food!

Today I rocked bakasana. ROCKED it like never before. As in, I held it for more than a breath, more than once! Who knew that all this practicing would actually pay off?!

And then I came home and had a lovely nap in front of the fire on the couch with Nermal. Life is sweet and full. It's all good. =D

What my yoga practice has taught me this week...

1. Practice really does make perfect! Not that I didn't know this already, but sometimes you forget. I did lots of hip openers this week, culminating in padmasana (lotus) pose today. Ardha padmasana (half lotus) is where it's at currently, but padmasana is there, waiting patiently in the sidelines for me to practice, practice, practice. And one day, my right foot will slide up over my left shin and rest in my left hip crease. It's *this* close!
2. Yoga keeps me young. It keeps you young too. I've been spending a lot of time with my 83 year old grandmother lately (not necessarily by choice, more on that later) and I see how she struggles to move. There is no suppleness in her spine. No breath awareness. No body awareness. An inability to get down on hands and knees, let alone get up again. Good thing she has a 'help, I've fallen and can't get up' button. I shudder at the thought of not being able to come to my mat, sit with intention and then push back into child's pose before that sweet transition into down dog. Ahhh, the first dog of the day...yet another reason to keep the mat rolled out and in plain sight. I don't mind getting old (I like to think I'm getting smarter with each passing year), but I want to be old and able to move!
3. The ultimate aim of my practice is to know myself better, right? Right. And my ultimate purpose is to serve, right? Right. Seems the Universe has thrown me another way to serve and it's not necessarily what I was looking for. But just like in an asana, we set the physical boundary first and then expand out from our heart. So that's what I've done with my grandmother. I've set my boundary: I will attend necessary medical appointments with her. I am the only family member who has knowledge of (a) medical terminology and (b) the medical system. But that is all. I can do that. But I won't give her two of my days off and a morning before work in a two week period. I will NOT shop with her (remind me to tell you the lazy-boy shopping story one day--well, on second thought, that's what made me have to set that boundary in the first place. Suffice it to say it was not an enjoyable experience and I will inherit the UGLIEST lazy-boy glider rocker known to man.) She has 4 grown children, 8 other grandchildren and 2 great-grandkids that are old enough to drive. So it doesn't have to be me that does everything. I can do some, but not all. I will do some, but not all. So yeah, my service has expanded and I've been working to keep my heart light and tongue soft and remember my higher purpose. This is also my yoga practice.
4. Saying goodbye...today was Slush Cup. The end of ski season. =( And I was home, nursing this nasty cold virus. So I got on my mat and remembered all the great times I had in the mountains this winter. Smiled softly. And let it go. And now it is spring...the promise of something new. Sweet. Lilacs almost blooming, the scent of freshly mowed grass, and the warmth of the sun on my face as I sit on my patio and drink in the birth of a new season. Mojito, anyone?

Why?

I've made the list 100 times.

I know all the reasons why it's important for me to lose the 20 pounds I've re-gained.

But you know what my biggest motivator is right now?
 
Nope, it's got nothing to do with me being single.

Or healthier.

Or my ability to run faster.

Give up?

I'll tell you: I want to get my hips ass up over my head and kick up easily into handstand!

Whatever the reason that's motivating me, I don't care. It's keeping me focused. Focused on what fuels my body. Focused on my practice. Focused on my core: my physical, mental and spiritual core.

And now, my mat beckons. It's been laid out in my living room all month (thanks to Amy's 30-day challenge). I don't roll it up every day, because then it's easy to just not practice.

But like my autographed copy of my teacher, Darren's, book, Yoga Resource, it reminds me: Please practice! Please practice!



So I practice. I practice L-stand at the wall. I practice rooting from the base of my heart, down my arms and into my hands that are pressed firmly into the earth. I practice kicking up (betchya my downstairs neighbour loves that! Bet they want me to lose those 20 pounds, too =D ). I practice floating. Practice is the operative word here.

And with practice, I strengthen my physical core. My mental core strengthens. And most importantly, I strengthen my spiritual core.

Please practice! Please practice!

What an inspirational quote!

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.A passage from Theodore Roosevelt’s “Citizenship in a Republic” April 23, 1910

I've been making a lot of lists lately.

• To-Do
• I will change the kitchen light bulb eventually, but the combination of 10 foot ceilings, living alone and a fear of heights is a bit of a challenge.
• Weightloss 
• diligently tracking what I put in my mouth
• drinking 3L of water/day
• limit eating out (I'm an amazing cook, I love doing it, but hate cleaning up the aftermath in the kitchen. Still, I can prepare amazing, good, real food cheaper and healthier than anything I can eat in a restaurant.)
• Exercise 
• walking for 30 minutes a day--not for fitness per se, but rather mental health. And walking to and from work doesn't count.
• Skiing!! Ski season isn't over yet!
• physio exercises 
• Yoga 
• I'm a member of an online 30-day challenge group. May's challenge: core. Today was plank and navasana (boat). Tomorrow I'm floating with Noah Maze on Yogaglo. I can't wait!
•  resume my personal practice. Why is it always the first thing to go?

 And that's where I am right now. Crossing things off my lists, and striving to do my best with enthusiasm. Life's too short to do otherwise!


_/|\_

"When you love your work that much-& many teachers do-the only way to get out of trouble is to go deeper in."- Parker Palmer, The Courage to Teach

I love my Monday night class. I teach yoga to in-patients of the Eating Disorders Program at my local hospital. We spent a lot of time talking about the meaning of yoga (both in a big picture and personal way) in my Immersions and Teacher Trainings. Boiled down, this is what resonates with me:

-It's all about service. My job on this great Mother Earth is to serve.

-It's about getting to know yourself better. This is why I come to mat, day after day. Because each day, I learn something new. Sometimes it's profound. Sometimes it's not. And that's ok, as long as I keep learning.

 So, back to Monday nights. It's not about the asana. It's about tapping into that part of yourself that you've always been a little bit afraid of. You're not sure why, but it makes you uncomfortable. And then we just sit and breathe and follow our breath in, then out, connecting with the metronome that's in each one of us. The breath that guides us through our practice--it tells us when we're trying too hard (not breathing) and it tells us when we've got it (we move gracefully on each inhale and exhale and feel the pulsation deep within). The breath that is the greatest meditation teacher.

 Yeah, we move a little bit, but mostly it's about reconnecting with our breath, our bodies and our spirit. About feeling better about ourselves and our place in this world.

 And I do it because I get so much more from their practice than they'll ever know. My heart bursts when I see them relax and let their guards down. When they move their bodies in a way that helps them connect to themselves. And when their bodies, mind and spirit all align, and they know themselves better.

 If I can give them just one or two tools to put in their tool-box for when they leave the hospital, then I've done my job. So that when life gets in their way, they have yoga to turn to to help them through, rather than reverting to old, destructive behaviours.  My job is to serve. And I will gladly continue for as long as they'll let me (although I did win major brownie points tonight for holding the practice outside in the sunshine!)

 Namaste _/|\_

2012-004-21 Part Deux

Sorry, there is no photographic evidence of the amazing spring skiing.

I hooked up with my buddy, Dan, as soon as I got off the gondola. We did an easy blue run off Angel and then went down to Divide (the sun was shining and that's just what you do)! There was no new snow, so the groomers had been out in full force. The World Cup downhill was great (and fast!) and Gold Ecstasy was not hard and scrape-y for once.

Went back to the village--Dan brought his fat powder skis for me to try out. They're longer and heavier than anything I've ever skied on, but we did a few runs on them just so I could get a feel for them.

Back on my own skis, we mosied over to Wawa for some fun. Birdcage bump practice and then it was time for lunch.

After a yummy bowl of beef pho, we headed back to Wawa to try some harder stuff. Paris basin and Waterfall were a piece of cake (and the snow had softened up during lunch so conditions were PERFECT) so we went to Goat's Eye.

We did the top of Cleavage and then the chutes of Ewe First and Mother In Law.  This was my do one thing a day that scares you--I had to go in for a rest and a chocolate milk after this one! We went back up and did Upper Afterburner, cut across to Freefall (holy shit, moguls as tall as me and they didn't look that big from the chair lift!) then across to Gladerunner (which was the icy mogul'd run Jim and I wound up on last week, but was groomed and lovely yesterday!). It was definitely one of the best runs of the day ('cept the bumps, I did OK on 'em, but they're not my favourite). My legs were screaming at me, so our next run was the easiest of all Goat's Eye runs, Sunshine Coast. It's also my favourite =)

We swooshed down without stopping, then headed up to the village in the Gondola. Back up Angel, down Boundry Bowl (I kicked it's ass!) and over to Divide again. Bye Bye Bowl wasn't nearly as nice as it was last Sunday, but my legs decreed that they'd had enough by the time we got back down to the village. Grabbed our stuff and down to the base in the Gondola. Dan took my poles to whack off an inch or so. Had an apres ski drink in the lounge and hopped on the bus home.

The best part of the day? There was hardly anybody else there! Not a lift line in sight and had many runs to ourselves. You can't beat sunshine, great snow (the base is still ~250 cm), no people, live music and great company! Can't wait till next weekend!

I've skied 24 days at Sunshine, 2 in Whitefish and 1 at Lake Louise. With my season's pass, each of my days at Sunshine has cost $33 instead of $83. If I ski three days next weekend, I bring that down to $29.62/day. I'm getting next year's pass before the end of May, so if I ski the same number of days next year (27) it'll cost me $25/day. Can't beat that!

Now, I'm going to go for a walk and loosen up the muscles in my legs and then I've got to get to work. For once, I've got an early shift on a Sunday!

2012-04-21

And still skiing! No new snow overnight, but it should be an excellent day of spring skiing!

Do One Thing a Day That Scares You

Well, yesterday was full of things that scared me!

1. Hiked up to Delirium Dive to check it out. The sun was shining and it was the perfect opportunity to see first hand what I've only seen in YouTube videos. Jim (my ski-bus buddy) assures me that I can do this. First, I need to get me some avvie gear!

Check out this video to see what I'm talking about!

2. Skiied just past the boundary rope--not out of bounds, but in a non-patrolled area. It was steep, there were rocks, but oh my God, there was fresh, untracked powder!! Jim and I made beautiful (ok, his were prettier than mine, but the guy's a former ski racer who's been skiing for 47 years!) big swooshy S's in the snow. So. Much. Fun. We did it again and again and again!

3. Skiied Goat's Eye with the expert skier. He took me through some trees...there was swearing...he got me out fairly quickly when he realized I wasn't up for bush-whacking. Unfortunately, we'd gone past the point of no return and the only way out was down an incredibly mogul'd up, icy run. I got down it one turn at a time and got a high five for my efforts at the bottom. Then we went back up to the top (see #2, above) 'cause the snow was better!

Best part of the day: I didn't wipe out at all! I kept up with the ski-racer-turned-powder-hound all day (although I'm pretty sure I was a lot more tired than he was, even though he's got 20 years on me!) and lived to tell about it. Sunday bus-friends rock! 

It's hard to believe that a year ago I could hardly make it down a green/easy blue run. Yesterday the only blue run we skied was at the end of the day on our way out. Everything else was black. Skiing with people who constantly push me has made me a better skier. Like my yoga teacher, Noah, says, "There's always more. More harder. More dangerous." In asana practice or on a mountain side, there's always more.

Being scared of going fast, of steeps, of black diamond signs (my brother is always telling me, "Ignore the sign, just go! Turn. Turn again. You'll get to the bottom eventually."), some fears are justified. It's a dangerous sport I play. There are big risks. But the ones I take are calculated. I know that I can turn. It may not be pretty (see #3, above), but I can get down. It's just better when there's somebody to talk you down off the cliff (literally). And skiing with somebody who recognizes that you can do more, but not so much more that you're going to hurt yourself or hate them and never ski with them again. =)

It's been a big ski year for me. I've grown more confident. Speed is my friend. Steeps and I are feeling each other out...but I think we'll get along just fine. And the whole diamond thing? Well, what girl doesn't like diamonds?

Tuesday morning 5K

The sun is shining and it looks like spring is here! That means spring skiing and hitting the paths and trails again! Today I walked a 5K loop in my neighbourhood that takes me up a big-ass hill with a spectacular view of the snow capped mountains, along the river and home again. I forgot my inhaler and a water bottle. I guess it's been awhile since I've hit the trails!

Life is full: skiing, friends, yoga, sleep (glorious, glorious sleep! What a difference it makes!).

Alas, I've still got to have some lunch and get ready for work. Happy Tuesday!

March Madness

Holy, moly, time flies! Where did March go? I can't believe yesterday was St. Patrick's day already.

Not much new/different to report, except that vacation is, unfortunately, over. However, a spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment trip to Whitefish for my birthday was pretty fabulous. My new powder skis have definitely got some experience this season!

Bif on Little Bunkers! Best Powder Day of the Year!

I took today off skiing--my poor little legs were like Jell-o this morning, even after a good night's sleep. Heading out again tomorrow though, to take advantage of the bliss that is mid-week skiing!

Speaking of sleep, well, it seems there's a reason I have been perpetually exhausted for the last 20 or so years. My sleep is disturbed by my irregular breathing approximately 18 times an hour! So a fancy-schmancy, definitely not sexy, machine has become my new bedfellow. Three nights in, and I'm happy to report the bone crushing fatigue that I've battled everyday for years is lifting! Nermal's not sure what to think though. I think she's spent most nights watching this new-fangled thing on her human's face and wondering what the hell the world is coming to!

Yoga teacher training is almost over! How did *that* happen?! It's all good. Practice, practice, practice. And patience. It all comes together in the end.

Kapotasana Prep

And now I must shower and prepare for a lovely birthday celebration dinner with my favourite peeps, S & L. S & I both have March birthdays (although I'm a Pisces and she's an Aires) and since we've both been uber busy lately, we're celebrating both tonight.

Time Flies!

I love vacation. I work so that I can enjoy vacation. And I've been loving life lately! Well, except for the visits to the dentist, but that's another story.

There's been a lot of skiing. In a lot of snow!! With friends, with family, with new friends and SnowHosts and by myself. Goat's Eye has had some incredible snow but the best day was yesterday. The sun was shining, there was lots of snow and along the Continental Divide, there was the most amazing view of Mt. Assiniboine and fresh powder to play in! Bye Bye Bowl was where it was at! And since it was during the week, we had it pretty much to ourselves. Who could ask for more? Why, me, of course! So we're heading to Whitefish for the weekend (the friends I skied with yesterday) to go play in the huge dump of powder that they just got. Oh, winter, how I love thee!!

And then there's yoga. What's a vacation without some yoga? After two days of skiing moguls, I showed up on Friday night to teacher training. My legs were like Jell-o and what did we do? Yep, that's right, standing poses! Nothing a long soak in the tub, some Epsom salts and Advil couldn't take care of. Saturday was intense, but good. But nothing like Sunday. I had the most amazing practices on Sunday: Ardha Chandrasana like I've never felt before--Kelsey adjusted me and I was able to extend up and out and shine from my heart through my arms and out my fingertips. AMAZING. Then there was Sirsasana I and II, neither of which I've been able to do since early summer. Followed by Handstand (well, I didn't get up, but Judy said I was *this* close). Again, since the whole tennis elbow injury early this summer, my practice has suffered. But it's back, baby! The icing on the cake: Bakasana. It feels so good to have my physical practice back!

I took today as a rest day, and rest I did. Nerm and I had a lie in, stayed in jammies all day and did some laundry and yoga homework. Then caught up on Corrie. And now bedtime.

G'night!

Utkatasana, Sleeping (and lack thereof), Skiing & Yoga

This is what I've been up to lately.

Utkatasana (powerful or chair pose): A 30 Day challenge, working up to 1 minute hold. Today I rocked the halfway mark of the challenge at 48.2 seconds.

Sleeping (and lack thereof): I had an assessment at a sleep clinic and last night went for a sleep study. They attached many wires to my head (in my hair), by my eyes, on my jaw and also on my legs. A two-lead ECG (one on my collar bone, the other on the opposite rib, just under the breast) plus an inch and a half wide elastic strap across the top of my boobs and another one around my belly added to the look. Oh, and don't forget the nasal cannuli and oxygen saturation detector on the finger. Weird thing is, I slept. Of course, it could've been the full day skiing (see below) or the fact I hadn't had more than 4 hours of consecutive sleep in the past 3 weeks. Now I wait for 3 weeks to get the results. Should be interesting...

Skiing: I was pumped to go today, but the sleep study people didn't wake me up when they said they would, so I completely missed the bus. =(
But yesterday I had a pretty amazing day! Midweek skiing is where it's at!! We had second row parking (if you've ever skiied at Sunshine, you'll know what a big deal this is) and nary a lineup to be had on a single lift. Goat's Eye was the surprise of the day as the visibility was best there, as was most of the snow. We had some great, fast runs, some with bumps (they were slower) and some without. It was great!! We hit 11 of 12 lifts (the visibility at the top of Angel was awful so we didn't even attempt Divide. The new skis I won are awesome, just sayin'!

And always, there is YOGA. Teacher training continues and I'm humbled and amazed by both my teachers leading us and the teachers I'm learning with. We have done some amazing collaborative teaching and lesson planning and it rocks! Yoga remains the steady, powerful force in my life that keeps me sane. Just like in utkatasana, we must draw into our core, hug the midline, root down and then expand out with power. And most of all, Grace.

_/|\_

50 Questions

From the good folks over at the GDT...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?  
Yep, my mom and grandma have the same middle name as me. My first name, that's all mine!


2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?  
January 21, 2012


3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? 
  Depends on the day


4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?  
Since I don't typically eat "lunch meat," I'll go with tuna.


5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?  
Yep, a feline, a niece & nephew, and oodles of kids that belong to my friends. My life has children in it, whether I gave birth to them or not is irrelevant.


6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Absolutely! I'm pretty cool!


7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?  
Noooo. (insert sarcastic font)


8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?  
Tonsil-free since 1980!


9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?  
Is it the only way down?


10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?  
Roger's Nine Grain Cereal (you have to cook it & has real ingredients that you can pronouce)


11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?  
No


12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?  
Yes! Physically, spiritually and mentally!


13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?  
Vanilla. Although I did have Earl Grey ice cream once that was divine!


14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?  
That indescribable energy field. That and their hair. Especially if there is really bad re-growth. 


15. RED OR PINK?  
Red hair, pink everything else.


16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?  
This is tough...I like me!


17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?  
My dad. And my Kitty.


18. WHAT IS THE PAUL MCKENNA TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
I have no idea who Paul McKenna is...


19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?  
I'm not wearing shoes, but my socks are two shades of pink and white striped and furry!


20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Pizza


21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?  
Justin Rutledge--you should be, too


22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? 
  Magenta


23. FAVORITE SMELLS?  
Weird assortment of smells here: 
-freshly mowed grass, purple lilacs--reminds me of spring and summer. 
-sweaty horse--can we say horse-crazy as a kid? Still am, come to think of it... 
-combination of diesel and grease--reminds me of my dad.


24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?  
Judy


25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Mountains all the way, baby!


26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?  
Curling (live though--I don't own a tv)


27. HAIR COLOR?  
Naturally--lovely mouse brown. Chemically enhanced: fabulous shades of red!


28. EYE COLOR?  
With au naturel hair: hazel. With chemically enhanced hair: GREEN!


29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes


30. FAVORITE FOOD?  
I can't pick just one...I like just about everything though, especially if it's real, flavourful and grown locally!


31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy!


32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Smurfs with Mabel


33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?  
PINK! (Lulu tank with ruffles)


34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter


35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs


36. FAVORITE DESSERT?  
Chocolate cake, cherry pie filling and whipped cream.


37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Yoga and skiing.


38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION? Computer


39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Anusara Teacher Training Manual


40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? 
 I don't have a mouse pad.


42. FAVORITE SOUND? 
 Nerm purring. She didn't purr when she first moved in.


43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles


44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?  
Cape Agulhas, South Africa


45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? 
  I have many talents!


46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Red Deer


47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW? Calgary


48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?   
Red brick


49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?  
I don't have a car. I live downtown and walk or take the bus!


50. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 50 QUESTIONS?  
I guess so, since I just did! Your turn...

6 Years Ago Today...

I lost my biggest cheerleader, the first man to ever tell me he loved me, my greatest role model, the man whose eyes look back at me in the mirror, and the man whose name I bear.

A lot can happen in 6 years:
Jobs come and go.
So do friends.
So do homes.
Kitties leave us too, but Nermal makes her arrival in very loud and noticeable ways.
Family relationships change, mostly for the better.
Colons are regularly checked by professionals to ensure proper working order.
Careers shift as I spend more and more time on my mat, contemplating all that's happened, all that's happening and all that's yet to happen.

All I know is that some days it seems like only yesterday you were here and others, it seems like a lifetime ago. But when it comes right down to it, it's been 2196 days since I've had a bear hug from you and heard you tell me that you love me.

Sometimes I think I hear a whisper, but I know that can't be you...you were anything but quiet. And the harder you tried to be, the louder you were.

I know that I've seen you in Mother Nature's beauty, in the eyes of a buck deer, but it's not the same. And it can't ever be. And as much as my head knows this to be true, my heart still can't wrap itself around that awful truth.

And so I'm left to carry you there, in my heart, and in my memory, and hope that the lessons that you taught me and the love that you showered upon me while you were here, will be enough to see me through. I hope so.

I love you, Dad.

Post #700

WOW.

This is the longest I have ever kept any sort of journal. My ramblings are random, just like me, and while I hope you like my blog, I really write just for me.

So, what have I been up to? Well, there's more yoga (go figure)! Teaching, practicing and training. It's wonderful, amazing, empowering, scary, sweaty, fun, blissful, and did I mention sweaty and fun? I'm excited about new opportunities and scared shitless to do another teacher training. But it's pretty fun and you know what? I'm a good teacher!

Work is, well, let's just say that I came to the conclusion that I love how I feel after I teach a class or go to a class. And I want to feel more that way than the way I feel when I leave work. Too bad the day job pays so good!

Skiing continues to consume the time not working or yoga-ing. I spent the last day I was out with my 70 year old buddy, D, who I can hardly keep up with. If that's not inspiring, I don't know what is! And there may have been a plethora of black diamond runs that day (he wouldn't let me go back to blue)! I'm even starting to embrace the bumps...

I came home to this in the crock pot tonight. Do not delay. Make this NOW.

That is all. =)

A Picture is Worth

A thousand words. Or so they say. Whoever 'they' are. Who cares, they're right!

I played in the Sunshine all day--my legs are like Jell-o but I feel great! Rachel took me down some new runs. Some are new favourites, others (Shaken, Not Stirred) are not. But I made it down each and every one of 'em without hitting my ass. This is a successful day in my books!

And our bus driver has inspired us to look into back country skiing. FUN!

So far 2012 is pretty great: double time yesterday (and a great day at work, complete with potluck dinner) & skiing with a friend in great conditions today.

Life is good. Live every moment.