finally Friday | quiet around here

June has been a low photo month for me. I have been making an effort to live in the moment and not get the phone/camera out for every little thing. 

We are looking forward to the weekend, however. Here's to a good one!

TGIF.

welcome summer

Let's make it one to remember!

finally Friday | almost summer

Temperatures are rising outside and time in the pool is now. I want to take advantage of being poolside as much as possible this summer.

Dad is in China right now but still want to remember him on Dad's day!

I'm a bit "behind"on memory keeping, but figure even though documenting memories is fun, living in the moment is even better.

My favorite photo from the week.

And the moment that made me smile the most this week - Roller disco king!

on the mat | always learning

I am enjoying my new role at our little shala as assistant to R&E. It's a role I take very seriously and am blessed to have such a fabulous teacher take me under her wing. The more I learn about our practice, the more I learn that I have so much more to learn! We are always first and foremost students in this practice. Sharing what we know however we can is just a small little step.

Namaste.

finally Friday | the little things

...fun selfies

...weekend dinners out

...happy mail

...birthdays

...new cute ugly shoes

...stopping to look at the flowers.

TGIF!

project life 2014 | March

I have been obsessively watching Project Life YouTube videos over the past year. And while I enjoy sharing my pages on the blog, I've fallen way behind. So I decided to video my March pages instead. One day I may do a voice over but baby steps for now. :)

on the mat | letting go of ego

Practicing this ashtanga yoga is a funny thing. On the one hand, doing the same poses every day is a good measure of progress over time. On the other hand, those same poses that were once easy can be difficult and vice versa and that can do a number on your mind. 

So, for me, part of the practice is letting go of what you can and can't do (not meaning that the physical effort to practice isn't put in) and taking each practice for what it is. Some days things come easier, some days not so much. And it's all good. 

How well a person does a pose does not reflect how "good" a yogi she is. Being present in the moment, breathing, and letting go is what it is about.

Namaste.

finally Friday

Happy June! Summer is almost here and I am ready to milk it for all it's worth.

Our first trip this summer involves the wedding of 2 dear friends. Can't wait!

Helped celebrated the birthday of my baby sis.

We are attempting a vegan diet for the month of June. Already had one teeny slip up (a sauce I used to cook with had milk in it) but overall I like having the limitations. We don't eat terribly but are addicted to sweets so no cake or cookies!

Spent some days with little peeps.

It's been a busy week but we try to stop and enjoy the moments.

TGIF!

on the mat | #ashtangachallenge

May was a good practice month. I attempted to do a daily yoga photo challenge but it fell by the wayside.

It was fun to try, although some asanas (poses) are more difficult to do when not in the middle of your practice.

Kurmasana is a pose I had much difficulty with 3 years ago in India but now, while not easy, is achievable.

And over the years I have learn to enjoy the benefits of being upside down.

Our teacher is leaving for India at the end of June so need to concentrate and make every practice count this month!

finally Friday | looking forward

The beginning of the week was amazing; yesterday, not so much. Work is a bit stressful these days. But that happens. And even though tomorrow is a working Saturday I am looking forward to the holiday weekend. TGIF

finally Friday | let the celebration begin!

May is my favorite month of the year. Warm but not too hot weather. Longer days. Our anniversary. My birthday. What's not to love?

I am super lucky in that the hubs always plans something special for my day. This year some friends are unable to attend so they invited us to dinner last night to start celebrating early.

My goal moving forward is to keep better friends with friends who are genuine and low drama. These boys are so sweet and we love them to death. They are actually getting married in July - wedding outside of Santa Fe. Can't wait!

The past 2 weeks have been super busy and stressful at work so I am happy for the next few days off. TGIF!

friendship | reconnecting

One of my goals for the month of May (hello there May!) is to reconnect with friends, both near and far. I am so guilty of taking the people I most love for granted and being lazy about our friendships. After a long day of work the last thing I usually want to do is talk on the phone, but writing a letter or even sending a text doesn't take much time at all. And who doesn't love to receive a little happy mail every now and again?

In the spirit of that we had dinner with dear BC, whom we haven't seen in months. He had a major life change recently - quit his job of 18 years and is now in what he terms, "semi-retirement." He plans of taking the summer off to enjoy life and decide what he wants to do next. What a great night we had, talking, drinking wine, catching up, eating yummy food and reconnecting. And all it took was a simple text from me asking if he wanted to have dinner. A little effort for a big reward. 

Now to decide who is next on the list :)

finally Friday

Yes, a day late on this but better late than never!

I've been doing a lot of writing lately...practice journal, morning pages, 5 things, Joe...all of which has been therapeutic and boosting my creativity. 

My favorite so far has been the 3 morning pages. My new routine (started Apr 8) has been to go downstairs for a cup of coffee then come up and write 3 pages of randomness in this cute journal. Love it so much I want to continue. I am hoping this inspiration will motivate me to give a jump to the old blog, but so far no. I guess you say yes to one thing which means you say no to another!

Here's to a great weekend.

finally Friday

The weather has been unusually cool this week - wasn't quite prepared for it, but don't mind it too much. I'm sure the heat will hit us soon!

James was unexpectedly in town this week so we had dinner with him on Wednesday night. Always good to see family. 

And the Kiwi edition may have come home with me on Tuesday as a reward for getting our taxes done. I've flipped through the cards and they are so freakin' cute! Can't wait to use them.

Happy Easter!

on the mat | moon day, you rest!

Traditionally ashtanga yoga is practiced every day of the week except Saturdays and moon days.

Why Saturday? I think way back when Guruji was teaching he actually taught every day of the week but his family convinced him that he needed to rest himself. Hence Saturdays of rest were born. But when I was in India, Saraswathi's students rested on Friday and took led Primary classes on Saturday so actually practicing on a Saturday is not strictly against the "rules."

Why moon days? From what I understand, mainly to honor the cycle of the earth. On full moon days the earth's energy is especially high and on new moon days especially low. So take rest on those days. Now moon days are non-negotiable.

Today's full moon was especially auspicious because of the lunar eclipse. While I didn't wake up in time to see the blood moon, I still rather enjoyed the sight of a full Mr. Moon early this morning. Hopefully this bodes for a good day.

Namaste.

on the mat | learning to be a teacher but always a student

My teacher asked me if I was interested in learning to teach a couple months ago. And of course I said yes! Loving this practice means I love to learn and practice it but would love the share that as well. We are starting slow...I am observing her teach after I practice on Sunday mornings. Today I actually helped her adjust a few students (one of them being my husband). And I practice adjusting her on our self practice days.

After practice on Sunday she goes over things she wants me to learn. And it's been so interesting - not only seeing how other people practice and their strengths and weaknesses but also using that knowledge to deepen my own practice.

One conference in India I remember Sharath saying that people always want to be teachers but never students. This girl will always be a student but hopefully can pass a bit of knowledge along in the process.

Namaste.

finally Friday (on Saturday!)

Somedays work is enjoyable and other days not so much. I suppose this is the way it is with almost everyone. Thursday was super busy but luckily Friday was better.

We went to the Spring Street Studio art opening and found a Photo Booth last night. That's always a good thing.

And I've been more inspired to dress up lately. Just not inspired to actually take photos of the outfits. ;)

Happy Saturday!

a little shop shop

Something about spring makes me want to shop. Maybe because I'm tired of my "winter" (used in quotes because who are we kidding, winter in Houston is balmy compared to most places up north) wardrobe and too lazy to get out my spring clothes (bad, I know).

A lot of it has to do with sales, sales everywhere! I love these style jeans and stalk them at Anthro.

And sometimes it's nice to treat yourself to some pretties. Especially when they are 40% off sale price (love those) and you have a gift card to use.

Seriously though, MUST.CLEAN.CLOSET. sometime in the near future...

on the mat | shanti

Yoga has been so good this year. Feeling strong and flexible. Injuries fading away. This practice can heal what hurts you, both inside and out. 

Sometimes I find it funny that something that can be so taxing on your mind and body bring such fulfillment to your soul. Peace, indeed.

Namaste.

finally Friday

Mom came to town at the last minute to see the boys before she leaves on her 6-month trip to Japan. Always so good to see her!

I am looking forward to a restful weekend. How about you?

TGIF!