Journal Day

A lovely blog I follow decided to bring back the days of high school english class with journaling.  The following is her prompt:

Everyone has a time in their life they view as a crossroad. Sometimes you can see it as it's happening, and you're able to choose one way or another. Other times you may not realize you're there until you look back, and see what a turning point it really was. This week, write about a time you view as a marker in your life; a distinct place where things changed, for better or worse.  

These writing prompts were one of my favorite things in english class because instead of being graded on grammer or punctuation, a student was encouraged to write anything they felt or thought. In true journal day form, my response was written in about 7 minutes of straight writing and is unedited. 

When I first graduated from college I had a choice- to move across the country and start a new life, or to stay right where I was. I had always wanted to experience living in a different part of the country, so when I chose to stay I think I surprised everyone-but mostly myself. The timing wasn't right, the person wasn't right, and the whole situation felt off.  

So I stayed, with only a part time job and a friends guest bedroom to crash in. At first I thought i had made a huge mistake- I don't have a full time job, I don't have an appartment, and I just broke up(finally) with my boyfriend. Then, a few weeks in, life started falling into place. I found a full time job. My old friendships grew from good to incredible. I met my fiance. And I learn so much about myself. I learned that I have friends and family who will support me in any decision. I learned that I am resourceful and that I can rebuild. I learned that I know what is best for my life and that I have to own my choices.

Sometimes the best and happiest times develop and grow from the scariest and worst. These last couple of years have been an amazing learning and growing experience in my life, and I am glad I chose to stay where I was.

~Anne

The North Shore

The drive was a mixture of trees, hills, a gorgeous sunset, and the full moon

The North Shore was breathtaking in its frozen beauty

The cabin was small and cozy with a fire place to keep us warm

And I fell in love with this place.

I'll see you again soon Duluth.

~Anne

Pescetarian- the Cons

Sometimes a girl just really wants a piece of bacon...or 20.

 

Or a real cheese burger, instead of the soy, tofu, black bean not greasy kind. **Which are delicious- but not the same**

 

 

Also it is rare to find a restaurant that offers a vegetarian option besides a garden salad, alfredo, or a grilled cheese.  Garden salad usually means you get all the lettuce and maybe a piece of tomato- boring. This is the definition of a Grand Forks problem.

 

                                                        

 

One of the most difficult aspects of being a pescetarian is travel.  I can't get an actual meal at most fast food places or gas stations- a poptart doesn't really cut it for me- sorry guys.  In the future I am dreading any in flight meal option. Massively dreading... Sneaking food on the plane kinds of dreading. Then there is the potential language barrier that will render my previous method of choosing meals in a different country useless.  Gone are the days of simply pointing at the special and hoping it was edible...

But seriously the thing I miss the most is The Parrot's Cay and their delicious but super awful for you wings with shark sauce in the 7 to 10 range. 

 

~Anne

 

 

 

Gratitude and Yoga

One thing Kay emphasises in yoga is to be kind-not only to others but yourself as well. While practicing yoga don't be discouraged when poses are difficult and react by thinking there is something wrong with your body. Instead be understanding and realize what muscles and joints are sore/tight and why. Don't push your muscles past what they can handle because you will end up INCREDIBLY sore the next day. Can't touch the floor during uttanasana (forward bending pose)? Reach for mid shin instead. Can't handle holding a lunge in Warrior II today? Don't lunge. "Where ever you are at today is perfect"- She says this EVERY session and it really helps set the tone of the class. 

At a recent session Kay gave us the beads pictured - they don't have to be a key chain, I just wanted them to be. She called them gratitude beads. There are 7 beads and the goal is to find 7 things a day- big or small- you are grateful for. Any time you are feeling upset, worn down, sad, or stressed she told us to look at the beads and try to think of something we are grateful for or that makes us happy. The tiny little bead at the end = gripe bead, since no one is perfect.

This is one of the things I love about Kay and our yoga practice- the mentality is so positive. In a world where negative thinking seems to be the norm, it is incredible to realize you control your attitude. You can choose to find the good and joy in each day, and when you do your entire prespective will change. You can condition your mind to focus on the good in life, instead of dwelling on the bad. When you realize you only have and control the now, you can stop focusing on the past and speculating about the future. Instead you can live each moment exactly where you are, and be content.

~Anne