Well it’s raining again.  We have had more rain in the past two weeks then I’ve seen in the whole 2 1/2 years I’ve lived in California. I’m definitely not complaining. I’m actually quite jealous of all you lucky East-coasters and your two feet of snow.  I’m serious, I love the snow.  I don’t mind the rain either and we certainly need it. Although, now everyone is worried about mudslides.  Always something to worry about.  Anyway, since we aren’t snowed in and only just a little damp, The All-Star and I were able to take a casual drive up to LA yesterday for a visit to The Annenberg Space for Photography where they are having a pretty awesome exhibit on sports photography.

On the drive up I figured we were just going to look a few photos of game winning touchdowns and record breaking home runs, but it was so much more than that.  Hundreds of photos of some of our countries greatest athletes, taken by two of our countries greatest sports photographers, Walter Iooss and Neil Leifer, where displayed in both print and digital galleries. I don’t think I understood the magnitude of talent our athletes possess until I saw this exhibit.  A collection of single moments, of the momentum and determination of the spirit, and the agility and power of the flesh. I immediately became in awe of these modern day gladiators, and of the men who took their pictures. It was pretty friggin cool!

The rest of the day was lazy. As rainy days should be.

Today I worked in the morning, then went on a quest to find a mortar and pestle set.  I have wanted one for quite some time and decided today was the day I was getting one. I quest was successful and I returned home joyful. Watch out boys. I am now armed for nut crushing!

I was also excited to find the books I ordered from Amazon waiting for me.  Without TV I now have lots of free time to read.

Tonight will prove to be another lazy night. The Art-Student (a.k.a. The All-Star) has a lot of work to do, so we won’t be bringing down the house or anything.  I’ll probably continue with the book I’m already reading, The Spectrum by Dr. Dean Ornish.  I don’t know much about it, but so far it’s informative and not too radical for the average reader. I’ll let you know what I think and keep you posted on any other good reads I find.  (p.s. While I tend not to be swayed by the opinions of others, if you know anything about this guy besides what he’s written about himself in the book, drop me a line.  I’m curious to hear what the masses are saying).

Bye for now.

Did you think I skipped day 10?  Nooo.  I skipped the run, and the blog, but I did do about an hour of pretty intense yoga last night.  Looooong stretching.  Negative: I got a headache during shavasana.  I think its because I did a headstand.  Bad yogi, that should not have happened.  Besides the one time I did yoga with The Kahuna on Day 4, my sessions during this challenge have been all self-led.  Though I have confidence in my yoga knowledge, I still think it would be better to follow an instructor.  Any DVD suggestions?  Anyway, I slept well.  I’ve been sleeping well every night actually.  Yesterday morning I woke up feeling like I had just slept a week.  A good feeling, let me tell you.

Other positives:

• My friends and family think I’m super cool
• I feel great
• I’m accomplishing things I didn’t think I could
• I always have something to do when there’s nothing to do (nothing to do, by the way, is a figment of our imagination, or lack there of)

Speaking of accomplishments, I added another .20 my run!  Total for today, 3.31.  Woohoo!  It wasn’t easy.  And I didn’t do it first thing in the morning which I think made it harder.  I woke up, did a few things, had some breakfast, did a few more things, and then took my run.  Once again, I got a right side cramp and was so much more out of breath than on my other runs.  I’m convinced the cramp is because I was still digesting solid food.  Not sure about the lung capacity.  Maybe the afternoon air quality is different, I don’t know.  But I did it, despite all the setbacks, and I feel good now that I’m resting.

I was going to take this down-time to complain about something that keeps happening to me this week.  I had this whole rant planned and I was gonna ask why and make accusations and all this other unnecessary diatribe.  But I’m not gonna do it and I’ll tell you why.  A patient of The Healing Sanctuary, who is always sharing with me the most fascinating information, made me some flashcards of the principles made in How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.  I’m taking on one each week in hopes that I will be one day be the most popular person in the world.  Not really, but I’m definitely hoping to improve my social skills.  This week’s flashcard…Never condemn, criticize or complain.  So…no rant.  We’ll all better off.  I’ll leave you with that as today’s meditation.  I’m off to make sense of the boxes we STILL haven’t unpacked.  We are terrible movers.  Happy Friday!

A new year and a new decade, for the calender as well as for myself.  Today it’s official…I am30 years old!  I can hardly believe it.  I don’t feel any different, though the number itself is quite daunting.  At the moment what I really feel is exhausted, as I have been up since 4:45 and am now sitting in McCannan Airport in Las Vegas, waiting for our connecting flight to Long Beach, California.  It was a long but enjoyable holiday vacation in New York for The All-Star and I.  We enjoyed the company of family and friends, took a day trip to Manhattan to visit the Rockefeller Plaza Christmas tree and saw a great off-Broadway show entitled Sessions.  Saturday was the start of my birthday celebration with family during the day and friends at night and last night we shivered in the below zero wind-chill to watch the Jets clobber the Bengals and win their spot in the play-offs.

At present I’m blogging to you from my new Asus net-book which I’m very excited about.  The Eee PC is the perfect size for lounging and writing and I no longer have to fight for computer time with my more savvy counterpart.  The mini lap-top was a Christmas gift from my dad.  Other fabulous gifts received:  a new 4-piece Protocol luggage set with swiveling wheels!, two round trip tickets to Catalina Island!, and a Mark Sanchez Jets jersey! (women’s fit, of course).  We were also fortunate enough to have some snow which always tops the cake for me.  It was sad to leave all my loved ones, but it won’t be long before we’re back in New York and I can’t say I’m going to miss sleeping on a couch every night.  I may just have to spend the rest of my birthday in bed this year, just because it’s such a comfy place to be and I definitely have a few z’s to catch up on.

Thank you to everyone who made the trip so memorable.  Much love and hugs to all.

Tomorrow marks the start of my Turning 30, 30 day fitness challenge.  It’s a late-start work day which means no 6am alarm, thank goodness.  I bought myself a new pair of sneakers with some of the Christmas money from Grandmas and think I’ll kick off the challenge with some good stretches and a jog to the beach.  I rapped a little about the challenge with my good friend Julia, who happens to be a certified health and nutrition counselor and the founder of Long Island Holistic Health.  We decided a handful of nuts and fruit will be suitable pre-run fuel.  Tonight I’ll work on a food and activity layout for the challenge and welcome any suggestions from all you talented professionals out there.

If you’re interested, pictures of the holiday will be posted when I have a better Wi-fi connection.  Sorry for the “just-words” post.  Until California.  Old-lady Laura signing out.

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.  ~Hal Borland

The cliche of the New Year is upon us.  December came and went being exactly what it always has been and January followed obediantly, bringing with it promises of a great year and resolution successes.  I for one have never much bought into the hype of a new number at the end of the date meaning it’s time to change my flaws and become the best I can be. But, for the sake of conformity, I did give thought to a pattern or two I may be able to change.  So here’s a little list of New Year’s resolutions I hope to pay a little mind.

Laura’s New Year’s Resolutions

1. Text less, call more

2. Blog daily

3. Exercise regularly…starting with my “Turning 30, 30 Day Fitness Challenge” to begin on January 5th

Nothing too complicating.  Just a few things that I believe will strengthen my ability to “cultivate my wellness.”

What are you promising yourself for the New Year?!

Well, I did it!  Six whole nights by myself in the new apartment.  Okay, so one night I slept at a friend’s and two nights I kept the dvd player running, but all the same, I made it!  And I didn’t even hide under the blankets!  Though, I have to admin that the idea of being alone for so long was torturing me.  It’s not that I really thinking I’m going to get eaten by monsters or attacked by an intruder, but there’s something that happens when I’m by myself..my mind wanders.  Apparently I have a pretty vivid imagination.  If only I could use this talent for good and not the total destruction of my bedtime wind-down. I know don’t why it is I’m so afraid to be alone at night.  For as long as I can remember, I’ve slept with the covers over my head, one eye slightly open, scanning the room for an apparitions and boogie men. I always thought as I grew older these fears would vanish.  I remember going into my parents room at night, seeing my them sleeping, unshielded by the  protective blankets.  I believed that one day I too would feel no reason to be scared of what goes bump in the night.  Of all the things I couldn’t grow out of! 

As part of the New Year and turning 30 and being a grown-up professional and all that blah-blah-blah, I’m making the concious effort to face my fears, just as I did this week.  When I look back, it wasn’t that scary being alone and last night I did say, enough with the dvd night-light, I’m gonna get some peace and quiet sleep.  It was refreshing and I grew a little.  Next time, maybe I’ll welcome that bed-all-to-myself feeling. (haha, though I doubt it.)  But it does get me thinking about other fears that may be holding me back, fears that maybe I’m not even aware of.  There’s certainly plenty of times I react a certain way to things and look back saying, “what the heck was I doing just there.”  I’m gonna bet half of that is caused by the girl inside of me thinking, “don’t leave me, I’m hungry, please like me, etc.)  We’re a complex puzzle, we humans, and that primal instinct of fear can be pretty powerful.  Where the off switch to that mechanism is? Not sure, but I’m gonna start with looking it straight in the face, and saying “back off  phobio, I’m in charge now!”  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.  

Happy Bravery!

This is it folks.  The final moments.  There are exactly 48 hours left to shop and bake and make plans for holiday cheer.  I for one have felt pretty mellow about the whole thing this year.  Granted there were some scary moments, particularly when booking my airplane tickets to New York.  Luckily I had The All-Star there to talk me through it.

The shopping, fortunately, was much less terrifying.  I did it right this time I guess.  I waited till almost the last minute, thought nothing about it before-hand, closed my eyes, pictured each loved one and…Eureka! the perfect gift ideas came rushing to me and just as I approached the appropriate shopping venue.  Okay, so it wasn’t that easy.  But it kinda was.  I wouldn’t allow it to be any other way.  I’m over the gift shopping hoopla that we’re supposed to surrender to each year.  I’ll still be giving gifts, but I didn’t get all stressed out preparing.  And as soon as I did feel myself slipping into consumer anguish, I simply stopped and moved on.  My gifts are all from my un-agonizing heart and will be given in person which I think is the best part.  Besides, my parents will still love me even if they hate the pot-holders I made them, and I’m sure The All-Star won’t leave me just because he’s getting a year’s worth of fruit.  (Just kidding guys. And sorry for being so cliche.)

But I’m serious about my presence being the best present, at least for me.  I’m so happy that I’ll spending the holidays with my family and friends who I miss so much and can not wait to see.  Sure there will be a whole lot of rushing around, and fitting everyone in and making sure I remember how to drive in the snow.  It’ll be cold…and windy…and rainy…and perfect.  And it will be home…the place that I know I can always go and no one cares want I look like, or smell like (eh hem, we all remember I’m taking the red eye, right?), and where there will always be a warm place to lay my head, even if it’s a couch, and the blankets will be laid out with love.

So I’ll be home for Christmas folks.  You can count of me.  I know you’ve got snow, John get out the mistletoe, and who cares if there’s presents under the tree.  I’ll be with home for Christmas, it’s the present of my dreams!

Last night was the annual Boat Parade Christmas Party at my friend Mika’s house, hosted by his oh-so-fabulous landlords.  The food was delicious, all home-made recipes prepared by the loving hands of our hostess, and the crowd was eager to laugh and share in the seasonal glee.  Since both my friend and I were going stag, we decided that instead of dressing up in our holiday best, we’d instead dress up like elves and offer an elfy helping hand to our generous hosts.

At first I felt a little silly about the idea, dressing up like a fictitious “red” collar worker and prancing around like a funny sort of thing.  But shortly after arriving, I knew why we thought to do it and we took our places as the on-hand-helping-hands (who also got to fill their bellies and enjoy the Christmas “spirits”).  The guests thought it was a riot and our hosts didn’t have to worry so much about all the extra work throwing a party entails.  It was the kind of giving that reminds me of what the holidays are all about.  Instead of just enjoying ourselves we decided to give a little back.

As Christmas drawers closer, I will to continue to share gifts with others.  Some will have been bought at the store, and others home-made, but the ones that will fill my heart with the most joy are the ones that don’t cost anything at all.  They are the random acts I kindness that each of us are given the opportunity to give on any day, to anyone, and anywhere.  In this elf’s opinion, that’s the best gift of all!

It’s difficult being away from family at this time before the holidays.  I wish they could see how I’ve decorated my home and share with them warm meals and other festive goodies.  Luckily this year I’ll be flying back to New York this Christmas Eve and the following morning will be just as it was before I moved to another state.

It’s odd living in California in the winter time.  For years, the holidays meant it was cold outside and taking a walk down an illuminated street was accompanied by a warm cup of cocoa and a few layers of wool.  As crazy as it sounds, I do miss the cold, however nice it is to not have to bundle up all the time.  In fact, one of the coolest parts about this sunny side of the country is Christmas on the water.  My Florida family have been telling me about this for years.  Decorated boat parades and Christmas light contests.  It was not until I traveled 3000 miles away from my norm that I was able to take part in this fantastic holiday tradition.

Last night, after some delicious sushi and Saki, The All-Star and I drove down to Naples in Long Beach to enjoy some of their festive flare.  The temperature of the air was probably 60º which was the first “hooray” in my book.

Here’s a little bit about Naples for those who don’t know….  Many of the homes are on canals which run throughout this little part of town.  What makes it so unique (for me) is that the front of the homes are on the canals instead of the backyards, (which is what I’m used to), and there’s a sidewalk between the water and the properties with little bridges to walk and drive over and for boats to pass under.  It’s a very cool part of town.  Over the summer The All-Star and I kayaked through this area, not realizing at the time we were actually looking at the front of these beautiful beach dwellings.

So last night was the judging contest for this year’s “California Dreamin’” Christmas theme.  There were lots of folks walking up and down the canals and connecting streets, admiring the hard work of these most fortunate home owners.  A very cool sight to see.  I have to say that although I certainly do miss Christmas in New York, (not a whole lot beats that Rockefeller tree), seeing this light show on the water does get me into the holiday spirit.  How lucky I am to be able to experience both sides this year…the cold weather with the love of my family to keep me warm, and the warm weather with the excitement of the holidays to bring joy into my heart!

Happy Holidays!

I don’t know anyone who loves to get up in the morning, especially in the wintertime.  Hitting the snooze button for another 9 minutes of pleasant slumber seems so much better than braving my warm body for the cold a.m air.  I’m, however, finding that although I am notorious for this snoozy act, once up, I’m quite the morning person.  In fact, it may be my favorite time of day.  It’s still quiet from the night before, my mind is fresh and clear for writing.  On this particular peep of day, I was happy to find it was already light at 6:30am, and, with the winter soltice being in 5 days, we can expect earlier sunrises till at least the spring.  All this aside, I still dred that alarm.  How can I resist so earnestly what I hold so dear?

Driving past the neighborhood high school this morning and seeing all the young teenagers crossing the street for school, reminded me of my own high school days.  Homeroom started at 7:25 am and (most of the time) I was there, even after my 3 am bedtime.  Now, however, even though I am officially a morning person, the idea of a 6 am alarm makes my skin quiver.  What’s the deal?  If my lackadaisical teenage counterpart could do it, surely the adult me can do so too, especially after 8 hours sleep.  And knowing the I’ll be bright eyed and bushy tailed once I’m off my pillow should help too, right?  You’d think.

Part of my turning 30 celebration (ACK! I’m turning 30 in 19 days and yes I’m going to celebrate!) is a 30 day fitness challenge.  I’m planning to wake up at 6 am every morning and go for a jog and/or practice my yoga.  The idea frightens me but it’s also exciting.  Of course part of the challenge will be the waking up part.  But I feel that since I will soon officially be an adult, (30 does mean I’ll be an adult, won’t it?), that it’s high time I start thinking like one, or at least acting like one, I don’t think I’ll ever not think like a 15 year old.

So here’s to the morning and all the more hours I’ll be enjoying each day.  I hope I can do it.  I think I can!

Life really likes to throw curve balls, and often several in a row.  But a strike doesn’t mean you’ve lost the game.  You just need to keep a sharper eye on the ball.  The next ball thrown could be your homerun!

At this time of year, when life seems more hectic than we’d ever wish it to be, let’s take the time to reflect on the positive in our lives and remember that every struggle eventually passes but not without leaving the opportunity for growth. 

Today I’m grateful for…

• I’ll be spending the holidays with my far-away family this year
• I share a warm home with a loving partner
• I work with people who care for me just as I do for them

I just hit a triple!