Om

I don’t think I can put into words, the experience I had on my 1-week yoga retreat in Tulum, Mexico. There is too much information that would leave me writing all day, so I will just sum up to say that the beauty of our land is something to be grateful for each and every day. The white powdery sand; the turquoise waters; the green palms; so magical.

Tulum is a place of purity, freedom and bliss. Everyone there is happy. Everyone is appreciative of every sunrise. Everyone is loving of all creatures. Yoga, delicious food, sunny days, meditation under the stars, 9 other amazing women to share all this with – it was truly a trip of a lifetime and I learned so much.

I will take my yoga practice further. I will meditate as often as I can. I will set intentions each day. I will be kind. I will be grateful. I will be in the present moment. I still have a smile on my face and as I like to say “am still in my yoga bubble”. I hope I can stay here whenever things get stressful or times get tough. It’s a pretty amazing place to be.

Yoga - Here I Come

WOW!!! It’s been awhile!

I’ve been keeping in touch with family and friends over Facebook and it seems that my blog has taken a back seat. But I wanted to do a post because I am embarking on an amazing trip this Saturday – one that I think will change me for the better and only help to make me a better person.

I am heading to the beautiful white beaches of sunny Tulum, Mexico. An eco-friendly Yoga Resort, by the name of “Shambala Petit” (below). This trip is all about inner peace, harmony and union of the mind, body and spirit.

I’ve been doing yoga for the past year or so, and while it’s still new to me – I love how it makes me feel in my body and my mind. It really puts you in touch with your own inner conscience, and quiets the mind so you can “see” what really matters in life.

I’m spending a week with 8 other women. We each have our own casita on the beach. There is morning and evening yoga (2 yoga classes every day), with free time in between to do whatever you please. There is also massage workshops and some body-sculpting classes as well. A vegetarian diet is served to us, and there are a few “fun” nights out and day excursions (snorkeling!) planned for everyone too.

I am bringing my journal and I will be meditating and enjoying the sounds of the gentle waves while sitting on the candle-lit beach at night with the other girls and sharing our thoughts and being one with the universe. I can’t wait. I will miss my hubby like crazy, but this will be a wonderful adventure for me, and I am so ready to soak it all in.

Namaste.

Fifty Years!!!

50 years. That is a long time, don’t you agree? Think about your life 50 years ago (if you were born) or 50 years from now. Think of all the things you can do, see, learn, experience, taste, touch, feel, in 50 years. It is a massive amount of time – and as of March 11, 2010, it is how long my dear parents have been married!

That is certainly an accomplishment and something to be very very proud of. I don’t know if they even realize how much they have positively influenced their children’s lives, just by staying married – and HAPPILY I might add.

My life growing up was always full of balance, and security and laughter and wonder and feeling loved and safe. I was happy and fulfilled and grateful. And today – I am still all of those things. Knowing my mom and dad were there for me every step of the way really helped to mold and shape me (and I think I turned out pretty darn good). Granted, parents can be there for their children even if they are separated or divorced - but for me, I feel very blessed to have the strength and bond of a strong family unit throughout not only my childhood, but my adult life as well.

Watching my parents is amazing. They are truly best friends. Sure – they have their moments when they might yell at each other, or get frustrated and say things that maybe aren’t the nicest in the moment – hello!! after 54 years of each other there is bound to be some annoyances! BUT – it’s always a happy ending and they are always in love. They travel and ski and kayak and hike and bike and laugh with each other all the time. They kiss and hug and they do the meanest Jive and Jitterbug I’ve ever seen a couple do!

I had them both walk me down the aisle because they are “one”. They are my parents and I love them to the ends of the earth. So, here’s to you mom and dad. You are the most amazing people I’ve ever known and I look up to you each and every day. Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary and may all the rest of your days together be as happy as the ones leading you here. I love you.

Feel the Love!

This past Friday was my birthday! When I woke up that morning – I knew it was a special day – but it didn’t feel overly different from any other day. That quickly changed. Before I was even out of bed, my lovely husband leaned over, kissed my forehead and wished me a happy birthday. He told me I was the best wife ever and how much he loved me and how beautiful I was! Wow – that’s a pretty nice way to wake up!

Within 20 minutes of getting out of bed, I had a text message from my brother Cory wishing me the best day and telling me I’m the best sister in the world and how much he loves me! Again – pretty sweet.

As the day progressed and I got on the train for my commute to work…texts on my cell were filtering in. More birthday wishes from friends – even ones I have not talked to in a long time – wishing me a happy day and letting me know they care. It just felt so nice!

Once at work – I don’t think 10 minutes passed before my phone was ringing – my in-laws from Calgary SINGING me “Happy Birthday!” It was so endearing. In came by boss, walking down the hall – big gift bag in hand – “Happy Birthday Lisa” she said, with a big smile on her face!

I know I’m not 12, but this was a super fun exciting day and it wasn’t even 10:00 am yet! I even heard from my friend Pam, who I haven’t spoken to since my wedding (not for lack of trying!) – she called me at work that morning to wish me a great day! Later on, when logging onto facebook, I was overwhelmed with over 30 messages to me all wishing me a happy day and letting me know how much I am loved.

That evening we went to dinner with my brothers and sisters-in law, and my two nieces, to a really fun authentic Mexican restaurant. Even there it was a blast because the waitresses came in singing to me, clapping, and gave me a huge sombrero to wear and brought this Massive dessert for the whole table to share! At home later that night, I got to speak to my parents (they are in Florida) and it was the perfect way to end a perfect day.

I know birthdays come and go, but this one just felt extra special for some reason. Friends and family really reached out to let me know how much they love me and there’s no better feeling than that in the world. Thanks everyone. You really made my day a beautiful one!

I'm still around....but

I'm having a hard time keeping up this blog lately….think I will take a hiatus for awhile. Beginning a new chapter in my life today. Will post back in a few months (if not earlier) to keep you updated. That’s all I’ll say for now. (and no, I’m not preggers – sorry ma!)

Bootcamp – Ugh!

I went to my first Bootcamp class Saturday morning. There is a new gym not far from us that was offering a free one-week trial for bootcamp-type classes. Basically, a bunch of women – getting yelled at (nicely) and worked to the bone!

I’ve worked out for years – so I was confident I could get through the class with not too much difficulty. I knew I’d be familiar with all the moves and techniques at least. So, I put on my nice black workout pants, spandex roots shirt – pulled my hair into a pony and slipped on my Nike ball cap – a little bit of mascara and some lipgloss and off I went to meet Dan! (the instructor).

Dan greeted me showed me around a little – basically, it’s where Team Canada cheerleaders practice and work out – and the padded spring floor reminded me of my gymnastics days…it was all I could do to not run out there and do some cartwheels! Looking around I saw mats, medicine balls, weighted bars with pully’s on them, and some bosu and exercise balls too. Ehh…piece ‘a cake …. Or so I thought.

The warm-up started out with some high knee kicks as we would move forward up and down the length of the gym. We were in rows of two. Then same thing but with bum kicks going back. Not bad not bad….I can do this I thought…repeated that a few more times – followed by side leg kicks, skips, jumps, walking lunges, hops, all the while going back and forth the length of the gym – did I mention this facility is about 10,000 square feet!! Anyway- I got through that part, worked up a sweat and figured, okay….we should be moving onto some floor work soon so I can rest a little…that’s when Dan said “alright – are we ready to begin our workout now”?

GAAAA! Let me tell ya – I may have been working out for years….but the body shuts down VERY quickly if you don’t keep up with your fitness regime! After non-stop functional moves and sit ups and lunges and knee ups and bar work and medicine ball work and tricep dips and planks and … oh man… the list goes on… I seriously thought I was going to toss my cookies right there on the mat.

How great would that have been? Nice way to introduce myself to the group – by throwing up all over their workout floor. I excused myself for a few minutes, went into the changeroom to catch my breath. A very nice woman (one of the members) came in to check on me and told me not to worry – it happens to everyone on their first time, and to please not give up and to come back out to the class once I felt better.

It was really nice of her and she talked to me for a good few minutes about how her daughter is another instructor there and if I go back to her daughter’s class, she’ll make sure to tell her to watch me and monitor me and she was very encouraging and reiterated to me that these classes weren’t to see who could “do the best” – they were for you as an individual, to improve within yourself, and not try to out-do anyone else. Once I went back out and re-joined the class, I felt a lot better, and lucky for me – it was just in time for the yoga cool-down! (thank god!)

Dan emailed me later that day, and said I did an awesome job for my first time and that they could tell I’ve worked out before, based on my form and techniques and that the endurance will come the more I go and the more in-shape I become. So – I will give this bootcamp a try for awhile. Haven’t had my butt kicked like that in a long, long time, but all I can say is…..Bring it on!

Kitchen in D.O.N.E.!

Whaaaa Hoooooo! Our kitchen reno is complete! A long time coming - but we love it and had special help from my dad and mom, who graciously spent a few days here and did our backsplash for us. It feels good to be done - and even though we want a new bathroom put in downstairs (my private lair) we decided to wait until the new year so we can stay happily married a little longer. ha. Actually - we did pretty good - this was our first reno together (well....ever actually) - and though stresses were high at times - we talked everything through and tried not to let it get the better of us. So - we are enjoying our new Kitch and looking forward to a big family dinner to show it off real soon!

(there used to be a wall here - now we can look out to the living room)

(and into the kitch from the living room)