Goals and planning

I am still sore from the private training session Friday.  My arms are sore and my core is tight.  Yesterday, I was lazy and I am okay with it.  I think it is important to take days off and let your body rest.  Of course, it would have been more beneficial had I read a book or meditated as opposed to watching tv.  I recognize that I should be reading or being productive on rest days.  Watching t.v. can be super relaxing.  Ultimately, a waste of time though.  I think of how much time I spend being unproductive.  I believe, it is a way to distract myself from doing what I should be doing.  Creating, exploring, writing, traveling, teaching to name a few things that I am interested in.  It's easier to fail or not even try if that makes sense.  I can definitely distract myself with mind numbing tasks.
I am attracted to some goal setting.  I think it is realistic and I have always enjoyed to do lists.  I like the action of crossing things off my list and feel lost when I don't have something to look forward to.  Traveling, always, has a spot on my list.  I have an upcoming trip to Minneapolis that I am looking forward to and then there is D.C. in June.  I am meeting a friend from high school who is currently hiking the Appalachian Trail.  I have considered a trip to Greece at some point in 2018 and think I should buy the tickets.  Why not?  What is stopping me?  Seriously.  It is a place that I have always wanted to explore. I had tickets to Athens in 2001 and a dream of riding the train to explore other countries in Europe.  Italy was a definite as I would check out the Amalfi Coast before heading to France, Budapest and Spain.  I think of how my life would have been had I taken that trip.  I doubt that I would be in Denver.  Honestly, I have no idea where I would have ended up.  I might still be in Europe, haha.
I do love Denver and it is my chosen home.  I like to make lists of where I want to travel, each year, and that I have to throw in some adulating tasks.  I do not like these tasks.  Yet, they are necessary. The dentist.
The obgyn.
Taxes--the most recent cross off my list. Yuck.  And, a necessary adult task.  The dentist made a major dent in my travel budget since I had procrastinated for as long as I could.  When I finally made an appointment I received a laundry list of things I must do.  Scaling my teeth which was painful and I despised it.  A few cavities, here and there, and a crown.  The dentist felt that should be first plan of attack.  An upper crown which  I didn't enjoy at all.  Afterwards, I asked what should be a priority.  She noted that I should continue to follow the cleaning plan and mix in some cavity action, too.  I am putting that off later in the year.
I consider decreasing my personal training sessions to once a month.  It is spendy and some times I have guilt arriving after meeting friends for happy hour.  Courtney makes me accountable for my choices and some weeks are worse than others.  Stress can definitely do that to you.  I am incorporating more meditation to deal with that.  And saying no to meeting friends.  It is okay to say no sometimes.
I should compile a complete list of goals.  Health, abundance, fitness, travel, even wines I want to drink.  That would be excessive.  I would love to continue to learn about wine and regions, too.  In an effort to be productive today, I am heading to yoga.  Namaste!

Clean living

My friend, Jenn, put together a meet up sort of group for April.  Mostly motivated by her upcoming milestone birthday, she arranged this effort to inspire others to be fit and fabulous in April.  Be it--cut back on alcohol, exercising more, trying new methods of exercise or modifying your food intake.  She has a large group of friends that are very active on social media.  The minute she created the group, people were contributing how they were personally hoping to participate.  She added me to the group and I am participating in my own way.  I will not post anything about my progress or lack of.  Instead, I sometimes, lurk on her site to see what others are doing. 
April is one third finished and I will be honest, I have not made much effort to improve my fabulous self.  I sort of stopped clean living.  You know....chips sound good.  And olive oil is great to cook with and I won't use as much.  Simple things like that that had enabled me to slim down quickly with simple alternates.  The last month, well, I got lazy.  I wanted to eat chips and salsa.  Oh, and I have discovered that I enjoy spaghetti and meat balls.  And, I have not fully engaged in the cut back on my wine intake.  I suppose that will never really happen.  Wine is a staple in my diet.  I enjoy meeting friends for a glass of wine and cooking with wine.
I continued to work our--multiple yoga classes mixed in with a few barre.  I walk to work and have been trying to support others desires to be healthy.  I walked around Wash Park with a co-worker yesterday.  It is not a complete loss.  I have been active, walking, and listening to a ton of music on Pandora.  I have been meditating a little and reading too.  My colleague gave me a stack of books that he no longer wants or needs.  Many of them are classics which I need to be in the mood for--Sophie's Choice, All the King's Men, some Virginia Wolfe...amongst others.  I think leading a clean, mindful life will unleash something in me that needs to happen.  I do not know what it entails, exactly, it just feels necessary.
I met with my trainer this morning and saw that I am in the beginning of a backslide.  I feel stronger and capable.  It's just the nutrition that is slowing me down.  And stress.  I have been meeting friends for happy hour today which I enjoy but sort of is counterproductive in living a clean lifestyle.  I considered canceling my session today.  Allergies and just not motivated.  I forced myself to go since I knew that I would benefit from the work out and bouncing ideas off of Courtney.  She is always up for good suggestions and thinking outside the box.  Today she did not disappoint.  My arms are mush and I know that I will feel the effects of the work out in my core tomorrow.  I did teach a few of my clients this week and I work out alongside them.  Lots of core work, planks and push-ups.  I only teach what I have always tried myself.  So, it wasn't a complete loss.  And, I cannot beat myself up over one week.  Or two.  I can only plan on doing better tomorrow. 
I want to continue to strengthen and develop my health regime.  I enjoy being exposed to many different mediums of getting fit.  This older gal approached me after her session and told me I was an inspiration to her and the other ladies she works out with.  I thought that was so kind and it sort of reinvigorated me.  It returned me to the badass mindset.  I think I needed to hear it and believe it.
I will continue to clean live this weekend.  I have a client on Sunday and next week will bring more opportunities to teach.  There might be an audition in my near future, too.
My friend will continue to host her meet up group.  I look forward to seeing some of the results and I should probably actually participate for one of the weeks.  Severely cutting back on drinking wine.  I can do it for one week.  At least....

TBT---travel addition

I love Santa Fe.  Always have.  My love affair with that city began when I was fourteen years old and I attended an annual school trip arranged by the history teacher.  He had us apply to be part of the program which included research, respect for the cultures and knowledge of the area.  I remember being so proud of my binder of New Mexico history.  We hiked at the sand dunes in Colorado, checked out Bandelier National Monument Park, Santa Fe and Taos.  I loved Santa Fe immediately.  The Plaza, the history, the culture.  I even interrupted a funeral in one of the churches downtown since I thought it was the Loretto Chapel.  At the time, I didn't know the name of the chapel and was turned around by directions.  I entered the church with a few other classmates and snapped a few photos before turning red faced at my embarrassment.  Eventually, I did find the Loretto Chapel.

A month after this school trip, I returned with my dad and sisters to basically do the exact same trip.  Bandelier, Santa Fe and Taos as a family trip.  We included rafting the Rio Grande on the family vacay and a departure to ABQ.  My dad insisted on checking out that city.  I was fine with the Capitol.  The history, food, hiking and silver jewelry.  I have always had respect for the artisanship found here.

As a young adult, I chose to move to Phoenix when I completed college.  I had the opportunity to drive through Santa Fe on my way down.  Again, I loved the city and dreamed of living there.  Fast forward and I am living in Denver (my true home) and I started making annual trips to the city different. I befriended a massage therapist in 2004 who is now one of my closest and dearest friends.  Ironically, her name is Melody.  I should pull up all of the photos I have amassed from trips and eventually of living there.  I absolutely adore visiting and have many friends that live there.  Every few months, I head south to get my Ojo fix and green chile.  Of course, multiple silver coins are involved in the trip.  Which reminds me, I am due for a trip south soon.  

The food factor is pretty insane.  From casual local driven spots to higher end, trendy gourmet, foodie driven experiences.  I had the opportunity to dine at a renowned spot one 4th of July with Melody.  We smuggled a bottle of Isosceles in from one of her clients.  Melody didn't know how much I love Isosceles until a dinner we had at Geronimo in 2006 with that particular bottle of wine.  What a treat to drink this bottle from 95.  It was perfection.  And the food was delicious, too.  We were able to enjoy the wine and food since I was working there at the time.  Gorgeous patio dining and the food is always decadent.

Next up the silver coin factor.  When I arrive in town the first thing I do is head to La Choza to eat chips and salsa and kick start my adventure with a silver coin or two.  I will dine solo at the bar or a friend will meet me.  I have also brought other friends from Denver to join me at this local spot.  Sara Jo, Maghan, Jan (from Phoenix) and hopefully the Goddess in the next year.  The food never disappoints and I feel very welcomed here.  And in the past year, if I visit for three days, I end up dining here twice.  It is consistently fantastic.  Doesn't this drink look amazing?  And inviting???

  

And then there is Ojo Caliente.  A rejuvenating, relaxing must do while visiting the city different.  It took me ten years to find it which is comical considering it is now an essential part of my Santa Fe trip.  I had an ex-boyfriend that initially brought it up.  He had a house in Taos and was shocked that I had never visited Ojo.  He understood that I had visited Ten Thousand Waves on a couple occasions.  Lovely massages and much closer to Santa Fe.  I suppose I never visited Ojo Caliente since it is about an hour from Santa Fe.  Finally, I asked Melody if she ever went there to soak and she said--yes!!!  I asked her if we could go on my next trip up.  I was living in Phoenix at the time and making frequent trips to Santa Fe.  In all honesty, I was looking for a way back to Denver but not yet ready to commit.  I believed I could live in Santa Fe and thrive.  In many respects, I did thrive and love it.  However, it is an oasis for me to visit and living there didn't quite live up to the dream for me.  I embrace the anonymity of living in a large city.  In Santa Fe, I found it to be too small.  At any rate, I still visit it often and love it.  I continue to look for new restaurants, breweries and things to do.  I love Ojo Caliente.  

I'll leave you with this image.  The simplicity of this fantastic day spa and soak venture.  Clear blue inviting skies, serenity, tranquility, amazing.  I absolutely adore it.  This image inspires me to think about when I can visit again.  On a solo trip or with my girlfriends.  I love hosting people and showing them my idea of the perfect New Mexico getaway.  I could go on and on about the beauty of the city, yoga that is available, the farmer's market that is open year round and delicious.  Not to mention restaurants, local spots and green chile.  It really is remarkable how many things you can find to do if you are open to experiencing different parts of the city.  Did you notice that I didn't even mention the gallery factor?  They have those, too.  I met many, many artists while living there.  And you can venture south to Madrid to experience that artist driven mecca or check out Meow Wolf or the burgeoning Railyard District.  There is so many things that are evolving in Santa Fe. Do yourself a favor--go check it out!  I know that I will be visiting soon.  Cheers and salud~

more opportunites for yoga

More and more opportunities for yoga and I am extremely grateful to be expanding this part of my life.  I made the conscious decision to pursue this arena a few years ago while living in Santa Fe.  I had been frustrated with the quality of yoga that I was exposed to on a daily basis.  I felt it was time to see what I could do with direction.  How I could evolve my own practice and share it with others.  I reached out to a studio in Phoenix and arranged the certification training over the course of a year. It worked for me since I wanted to immerse with a school in a timely manner.  I knew that I would receive little benefit from doing it all in two weeks.  I would want time to retain some of the areas that I was not as interested in.
It's true.  Yoga is appealing to people for a variety of reasons.  Some prefer the breath work.  Or the mindfulness with some postures mixed in.  I prefer a challenging sequencing class.  That is how I shut my mind off.  I don't think when someone else takes over and guides me to the zen state with a physical emphasis.  I can see the benefit of breath work, chanting, and being in the present moment.  I just want more in my practice.
I concluded my training and have been continuing my yoga practice as a student.  About a year ago, I began teaching in my apartment to friends and co-workers.  I wanted to practice my language and cueing postures.  I have found that I enjoy customizing sessions to individuals and feel more confident teaching frequently and often. Today, I have a client and am looking forward to it.  I know that Roxanne prefers more core work and stability.  We are building up her practice from the ground up.  In the past, she scoffed at yoga since she was bored. I want to challenge her and inspire her to do group classes eventually.  I do understand being bored in classes.  This has happened to me a lot in the past.  One of my mentors in Denver says I should approach it from love.  I should love myself through it.  Or be kind in my thoughts through it.  What I would like to do is flee the class or put on head phones.  I don't think that would go over well.
I have been playing with the idea of teaching more and expanding my clientele.  I mentioned this to a customer at my full-time job and immediately, he suggested a studio that he attends.  He even said he would put in a word for me which I appreciated very much.  So there is an in there, potentially, and at the studio that I am a member at.  I attended a new instructor's class today and felt she had a decent foundation and gave great adjustments.  I felt I should share that information with her.  I approached her by asking how long she had been teaching and she responded a year.  I noted her good adjustments and she asked me if I teach.  I responded that I am certified and she said, I can tell.  You have a beautiful practice.
Another affirmation that I am on the right path.  I reached out to a few more people that are like-minded and have additional teachings scheduled for the next two weeks. I am very thankful for the time to be doing this.  I want to be focusing on my health and wellness.
I will continue to see what is out there in the yoga community in Denver.  And to create my niche here. I would like to return to Phoenix to see what they are doing there.  It is such a strong, fierce community.  I have always had a bunch of respect for the yoga community in Arizona.  I see a trip in my near future.
I managed to finally pay my state taxes.  I wasn't prepared to be responsible for that chunk of change this year.  Today is the day to be responsible.  And let go of some of the nonsense, lol.
Cheers to living, to enjoying, to tasting life~

Day of health and fitness

I started my day attending a barre class.  I thought it would kick start how I wanted to participate on Thursday.  Exercise, all day.  I considered an all levels 7 am yoga class but then reconsidered.  I like the instructor.  She has great descriptors and adjectives.  Her flow is not terribly challenging and the music selection definitely could improve.  Moreover, the studio does offer a class at 10:30 that fit in with what I was hoping to achieve.  Take the class and forty-five minutes attend a power vinyasa class at a heated studio.  Perfect.
I tried to book the class on my phone.  The app would allow me to enter the site but completely buffered when I was trying to view the schedule.  I thought I could access it from my laptop.  Also, a bust.  I checked other studios that I frequent with the same results.  When I went to see the schedule, I struggled. I figured out that the mind body app was malfunctioning.  Finally, my studio emailed me that yes, in fact, the app was malfunctioning.  I attended barre and then drove over to the yoga studio.  I mentioned that I had called to arrange my attendance at the class since their app was not working and they concurred that the schedule was down due to mind body.  It's funny.  As the day progressed, I saw many other studios on social media mentioning that although the app was down, they were open.
The barre class was decent.  Lots of core and some glute work.  The yoga class was mediocre.  Typically, I like this instructor and her music selection.  Yesterday, I struggled.  I just couldn't identify or relate to what she was hoping to achieve.  Being present in the moment, lol, was her theme of the class.  She chose a few challenging postures to exemplify her point and reasoning.  She noted that many times we are looking for an exit strategy while performing a task.  Her example, snowboarding.  She told her husband that they would do four more runs and then head to the lodge for hot chocolate.  He was dismayed since they had just arrived and already she was planning her leave.
I do understand her point and try to be present in my life. I was bored, distracted and unable to gel with the class.  I despise the frog position and she held it for some time.  It irritates my hips and knees and overall is extremely uncomfortable.  I tried to remain in the position for as long as I could.  My hips were screaming at me and I had to adjust to child's pose.
Afterwards, I returned home and read.  I am making an effort to read books instead of streaming shows on my laptop.  It is the lazy way out.  I realize how much pleasure I receive from reading a book.  It enables me to disappear for a stretch of time.  I had made arrangements to teach my friend, Roxanne.  We had been planning this for over a year.  Timing, injury and other factors postponed our meet up until last night.  I walked to her new apartment and then taught for an hour. I keep returning to how much this seems to be my way right now.  I want to be focusing on my health and this supports that.  It inspires me to keep learning and seeing what is out there and how I can make it mine.   The space in her building was great.  Although, I would prefer booking the space without interruptions.  That was a little unsettling.  However, I think, if we chose a different time of day, it would be ideal.
Thursday was all health centered.  Today will be a mix of health, wellness, and celebration.  Meeting Brie for lunch and possibly attending a yoga club later.  I am uncertain.  It is opening Day, here, and that is a party in itself.  I will avoid downtown to be moderate.
Enjoy your day however you choose to spend it!

Family visits and seeing friends

 My dad has been in Colorado the last few days.  I managed to arrange a lunch date with him and my step mom.  Initially, I believed we would be having dinner together and so I hoped to find a place that wasn't too elitist where they would feel comfortable.  Then, I was unable to have them stay with me.  I have a small one bedroom apartment that is perfect for me and challenging for hosting people.  Granted, if I had a king sized bed, I could have made it work. I would have given them my bedroom and slept on the couch.
My stepmom has siblings that live near the metro area and so they had options.  The first two nights, they stayed in Englewood and the next two days they will be in Berthoud.  My dad has an old colleague that lives in Wheat Ridge and so they stayed with them last night after spending the day with me.  We had lunch in Cherry Creek and then walked around City Park.  I considered going to the Botanic Gardens but felt it was a little soon in the season to fully appreciate it.  And, my dad likes to get his steps in.  I live near City Park and so it was perfect.
I suppose next time we can check out the old school steakhouse that I found.  Or, I know my dad enjoys Korean food and so I had scoped out a few spots that offer dishes that he enjoys.  Next visit.
On Easter, I worked the morning.  Typically, we are open for night service and my friends and I had hoped to stop by and support our friend, Goose, in his final evening of service at his restaurant.  We missed the last night but were able to attend the friends' and family celebration on Easter.  It was lovely to see him so relaxed and inspired.  He can enjoy fishing, traveling and figuring out what is the next chapter of his life.  I convinced these two to meet me for a quick drink or three.  Of course, the time went by way too quickly!  I ran into a bunch of people that I have met over the years dining at Goose's restaurant.  Former employers, friends and staff.  It truly was a wonderful way to say goodbye to that restaurant.  I had asked Sara Jo to join me as she had been my partner in crime on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, her work schedule prohibited her from attending.

I off to celebrate this Thursday.  A few yoga classes and I am teaching my friend, Roxie, later.  I feel I have been working towards that goal of expanding my yoga clientele for awhile.  Time to maximize my efforts.  And wine will be included, too.
Cheers to life, to Thursday, to creating memories!

spring and other thoughts

Happy Easter!  I do love this time of year.  The colors, the blooming and the beginning of spring.  Sleeping with a window open and waking up to the chill of the morning.  Absolutely adore it.  I am inspired to wear lavenders, oranges, yellows--easter egg colors.  Soft and warm.  Maybe a pedicure is in order later today.  I could sport the colors of easter on my toes.
I met my aunt for a quick walk around the lake.  We try to meet once every few months and typically, I go to her.  It seems to work easier.  She is a Denver native and still gets confused driving downtown.  I figure heading to the west side is always interesting.  It continues to evolve and change and add restaurants to the area.  I enjoy seeing what is available in other areas of Denver.
We always catch up over the walk and she is insightful.  Sometimes, a little too forceful with her perspective but I appreciate that she tells it like it is as opposed to sugar coating to save my feelings. Normally, we finish with breakfast at a local Mexican restaurant which I also look forward to.  Yesterday, though, Bryn had made lunch plans with my cousin.  No chips and salsas for me on the west side.
I dropped some items off at Goodwill and stopped by my old job to enjoy brunch.  I ran into old customers and many friends who have worked there.  I love the enchilada sauce and so it was an easy detour.  I thought about making brunch at my house and then thought better of it.  Who doesn't prefer cooked breakfast and mimosas?  Plus, no clean up.  I chose wisely, lol.  And, I could inhale chips and salsa there.
I took off yesterday to watch a basketball game.  In some ways, I knew that I would prefer watching it from my home instead of watching it at work.  I get fired up and a little irrational.  Moreover, trying to watch it and work is a recipe for disaster.  I get too focused on what is going wrong and irritated when I am unable to watch it with undivided attention.  I spoke to Chad about taking the night off and he agreed.  I think, he also, understands how fired up I get about basketball.
The game, well, it was hard to watch.  I am thankful that I chose to watch it at home instead of meeting friends out.  From the opening tip, Nova dominated and consistently hit three pointers.  It was a nonstop assault.  I am proud of my alma mater and the team that they are.  They continued to fight and try to overcome the loss.  And, I was grateful that I took the night off.  I would have been sour had I been working.  I was sad.  I will watch the game Monday and see if Nova is able to continue the barrage of three pointers.  It was impressive.
I am working this morning and preparing for my dad's visit.  He and my stepmom are driving to Denver tomorrow to visit her family and me.  I am trying to find the perfect spot for dinner where they will feel comfortable and enjoy the food.  I think there is a place, nearby, that is a mom and pop's steakhouse that has been around forever.  It serves solid food and is not elitist.  I think that will be my best option.  My dad is Midwestern.  I don't need to wow him in a high end steakhouse.  I think it actually makes him uncomfortable.  He is a meat and potatoes type of guy and doesn't need the frills.
I spoke to my friend, Jenn, about meeting her and her husband with my dad.  We could meet for a drink, downtown, and then part ways.  I am still considering it due to logistics.  Should I focus on the downtown area or stay east and explore the neighborhoods?  I also need to find out where my dad plans on staying while in Denver.  I know there are a plethora of airbnb rentals available.
I am thankful for this new month, opportunities and travel.  Always, travel.  I hope to continue to increase my yoga clientele and maybe even audition at a studio.  The time is now!