Ohm ...

I hadn't done yoga in about a year, and I'd been missing it so ... I did something about it.

A while back, I went to Half Price Books and purchased a Yoga VHS for under $2.00. Excited, I began waking early to start my day with my new "AM Yoga" VHS. But there were problems ...

First and foremost, the routine goes much too quickly. According to the host, Rodney Ye, it's supposed to be a "gentle way to move me into my active day".

That's funny.

Each pose ends abruptly and the next begins with very little adieu. It's all so ... hasty! There's nothing gentle about it. It's rather comical, really.

The second thing that I have great issue with is the fact that Rodney is either hung like an ox, or has a raging hard-on ... under his very tight, very small Speedo.

*shudder*

SO. I have come to a decision:

This afternoon, I'm going to watch my VHS one final time and write down the poses. This way, I can turn on a gentle CD, read my notes, and do the damn thing at my own pace.

I really think I'll be happier without the VHS. Yoga to me is gentle. Sorry, Rodney. You won't be missed.

mmmm

I've never considered myself to be much of a cook. My repertoire has mainly comprised of ... macaroni and cheese, very basic quesadillas, and a mean turkey sammitch.

Of late, Merry and I have not been eating at home much, and it has not only hurt our pocket book, but our tummies as well. We've both been feeling a bit worse for the wear, and eating fast food has a lot to do with it, m'thinks.

I've already mentioned my tentative foray into the culinary world... well, its success has inspired me to delve further into the Art. I've been printing off (simple) recipes and compiling them in a binder, and have made one or two more dishes (which have had mixed review from my hostage captivated audience of One - namely, Merry). I however am undeterred (and rather liked the meals to boot)!

I'm simply beside myself. I'm addicted to recipezaar {dot} com and allrecipes {dot} com, and unashamed to admit it.

Huzzah!

A long, long time ago

I can still remember how that music used to make me feel ...

I helped a kid and her teacher buy a viola today. The teacher, after hearing that I play viola m'self, asked if I have a studio. I wistfully responded in the negative, saying that I did once but simply have not had the time. We commiserated about the sad state of affairs in the Viola pedagogy line of things - there simply aren't enough teachers.

Would I be interested in teaching in the Allen area?

Wow.

We talked about teaching through schools, which I wouldn't be able to do because of my schedule ... what about independently owned and operated Music Studios?

Ideally, I'd like to take lessons for about six months; getting back into the swing of things, as it were. From there, I'd like to see if there is indeed some space to rent at a studio. If there is, and at a reasonable price, I'd like to set up a studio - per'aps on a Saturday. But I cherish my Saturdays, especially now that Merry isn't working.

Wouldn't it be neat to move most of my efforts into teaching, taking on a part time job to fill in the rest of the time? I could teach through schools on certain days, and work somewhere on t'others. I have connections, people that could potentially help me beef out a studio. I could try the Middle School I attended, way back in the day. I could try this lady. Or any of the three viola teachers I've had in the past.

Unless I had a thriving studio, it wouldn't be sensible to leave full-time Corporate America.

Ah, dreams can be beguiling ... and reality can be cold and harsh.

Success is mine!

I have successfully followed a recipe, and it turned out marvelously. I made an apple salad with a dressing consisting of mayo, applesauce, honey, lemon juice and salt. I then mixed in diced apples, celery, sunflower seeds, and raisins.

Delicious!

Personal Manifesto

+I believe in a thing called love. I see it every day in my lover's eyes, feel it in the kiss of a summer breeze, hear it in the laughter of babies.
+I believe that living life with no regrets is the key to happiness.
+Leaps of faith are necessary for growth. Scary as hell, but absolutely vital.
+Not only is change possible, I believe it is inherent in each of us.
+Possibilities are endless, but sometimes we must view life from a new perspective in order to tap into them.
+I believe in a Divine that gives love freely and unconditionally.
+I believe in Magic.
+Mistakes are God's wake-up calls, an invitation for growth.
+Pets are people, too.
+I believe that serenity in this life is actually attainable, and with very little effort.
+I believe I've lived multiple lives, and will continue on into many more.
+Life is worth living, and fully.
+I believe in Fate.
+I also believe in Free Will.
+I believe that the two are not mutually exclusive.
+I believe that education is important to all, and doesn't end outside of the classroom.
+I believe that love, if we let it, will indeed conquer all.

Going Green

... greener, anyway.

I bought a book at Half Priced Books t'other day: basically a Vegetarian 101. I love animals - they're delicious - so why a book on vegetarianism? I have been eating hella unhealthily and desperately want to overhaul my eating habits. While I don't want to give up meat, I do want to incorporate tons of Freshies into my diet.

The book is pretty cool. It demystifies the whole "cooking" thing (I am by no means a goddess in the Kitchen), and has pretty awesome recipes to boot.

I picked one out and Merry and I went grocery-shopping this morning. We spent less than usual and got more food out of the deal, which was pretty awesome. We got salad stuffs, things for the new dish tomorrow, sandwich things, and hamburger meat. So, a few meals and a bunch of lunches. Sounds like a winner to me!

I'm excited.

We've been talking about overhauling our food intake for a while now, even merely in portion size, but every time I think "Cut back, gotta cut back", I feel the need to eat compulsively. Not cool.

But for some reason this morning felt like a fresh start. I've had a few light snacks and have eaten healthily on the whole.

I think this is going to stick.

Yay!