oh yes

...and I forgot to mention that I painted my toenails bright pink and drank a strawberry slurpee. 

my saturday

Went to the pool today with Amber and my new friend Sarah. Ate fruit and homemade rice krispie treats. 

Three loads of laundry under my belt.

Good night.

blah!

I am feeling a little sick right now. I walked to the gym and it was like 85 degrees outside, so obviously I got a little warm on the way. Then I spent an hour on the elliptical on level eight. That's quite a bit of resistance, and I was also using the machine where you use your arms, too. I drank half the water in my hydration bottle and couldn't drink anymore even though I was thirsty. I just felt really full for some reason. After doing an hour of cardio, I went to take a yoga class, and I left after about 10 minutes. I felt bad, but I mouthed to the teacher that I was sick before walking out. My face was really red and I just could not cool off. So maybe I just got a little overheated? I still don't feel great, but I do feel a little better after my shower.

I have been very seriously considering cutting my hair lately. I went to Empire Salon today for a consultation and I really am not feeling good about it. I thought it was a Redken salon but I was wrong. This guy used Joico products. What the heck is Joico? There's another salon near me called Bella Toca and I think that when I am ready to cut my hair I will go there. It is a Redken salon, I found it on the Redken website. 

As if PGE Park has not annoyed me enough tonight, someone's (I'm assuming they are at the game) car alarm has been going off for about two whole minutes and it is really pissing me off. I mean really. 

Speaking of pissing me off, I was just looking at some old pictures from high school and remembering how much Ms. Romers from the attendance office used to get on my nerves. She always wore slutty tops took her stupid job so seriously. You were supposed to check in with her if you got to school late, and check out with her if you had a note to leave early. Well, rarely did I have actual written permission to leave school early, so I always skipped the "check out with Ms. Romers" step and went right on home. I was a master at getting around the parking lot attendants. I'd love to be able to say that if I could do high school all over again I would have done better, but I hated it so much that if I had to go back and do it again I would probably just drop out. Horrible thing to say, isn't it?!

I think I will be going to bed very soon. I have to teach early in the morning. 

xoxo,

t

PS- I can't wait to go to Target tomorrow and buy a new flat iron with my gift card!!! :)

can you spot keith and me?

ouch

My shoulder is killing me. I feel like the pain is shooting down my arm. I have come to the conclusion that maybe it is hurting because of the way I sleep? I sleep pretty funny sometimes. Yesterday while I was taking a four hour nap, a shooting pain woke me up and I couldn't move my arm due to soreness. Who knows how I was sleeping? Keith says sometimes when I sleep I look like I have been mangled in a car accident. My shoulders are freakishly flexible.

This morning Keith and I went across the street to Coco Donuts. It's new, and they have stumptown coffee. I like Starbucks better because it's stronger. But it's nice to have that place right across the street! Because Starbucks is two blocks away and for pete's sake that is just too far to have to walk. There amount of coffee shops in Portland is just insane. 

I'm having issues with signing up for the restorative yoga training. My card is not working. Mastercard says there is no reason why it shouldn't work and they don't know why it's not. YogaFit says it keeps declining. This makes me pissed off at Mastercard because my information was "at risk" so they issued me a new card and then put a bazillion security measures on it. I have got to figure this out.

It's 3:00 and the only time I left the house today was to go across the street for coffee. Lame! It's 80 degrees and sunny outside. I should be out there. 

I'm really thinking I want to cut my hair. Keith really wants me to cut it, too. I'm on the fence. 

I love my mom. How did I get so lucky to be born to the best mother in the history of mothers? 

so lazy

I have had the laziest day ever! I can't say totally unproductive, because I did teach a class at 5:45 am and go to the orthodontist to get an impression made, but after that I came home, put my pajamas back on and laid in bed and watched the Gilmore Girls. Then I fell asleep for four hours. Is that considered a nap? I'm thinking no. I am currently still watching the Gilmore Girls and making french fries.

I also signed up for Restorative Yoga training today at Hood River in August. I am so excited. I can't afford it at all, but whatever. This is my career I'm building, here! One day all of this will pay off, and I have heard nothing but the very best about this training and the trainer. I can't wait! Dana and I are thinking about driving back and forth from Portland to Hood River every day so we can save the hotel money. It would definitely be nice to stay there, it's so nice and serene there, but it's only an hour away. We haven't made a final decision yet, so we will see.

I have a new perfume. It's a tiny sample size of Rosewood by Banana Republic. I think it should be renamed 'peace' because that's what it smells like to me. Isn't that weird? Speaking of that, I used to have a perfume from Bath and Body Works called Peace when I was about 16 and I wish I still had it. I used it all and it was discontinued a long time ago. I used to wear it when I worked at Bottoms Up.

Here's a random piece of information: I want to get married but I don't want a wedding. I want to elope. No bridesmaids, no expensive reception, none of it. Ideally, you will get a postcard in the mail with a picture of me and my husband on a beach somewhere that says, "I got married!" I think that would be cool. Weddings are overrated and overpriced. I'd like to get married in Vegas, to say I got married in Vegas, but I don't like Vegas all that much. I also wouldn't mind getting married in La Jolla or on Ocean Beach. I don't even care about a diamond. Diamonds are controversial anyway. A plain thick silver band would be sufficient for me. Something special and private would be engraved on the inside. In some ways I guess maybe I am high maintenance, although I would like to think I'm not. But a wedding is definitely not one of them.

I feel so lazy that I may just get off my butt and go to the gym for a little while. It is so nice to live in a city where it's okay to walk somewhere alone at night. I love Portland! It's a bit reversed from other cities. Downtown is not ghetto at all. There are homeless people, but it is not ghetto. It is nice and clean and safe. Any ghettos here in this area are in the suburbs. Isn't that a bit odd?! I like it.

If I don't go to the gym, I will just go back to bed around 11 or a little after and sleep all night. I feel like when my body wants to sleep for four hours in the middle of the day it's because it needs it. Luckily, I am in a position right now where I can do whatever I want. As long as it's free, that is. And napping is free!

My fries will be done soon. And I am done blogging for now!

xoxo,

t

so sweet

The sound isn't working for some reason, but they were saying, "I love you Aunt Tami!"

some sasquatch details

I haven't been in much of a blogging mood for the past couple of days. 

My top retainer cracked, so I have an appointment with an orthodontist in Lake Oswego tomorrow morning to get a new one. 

I got a sweet video message from River and Mason today.

I took a long nap, watched Gilmore Girls, did laundry and taught a yoga class today. It was a relaxing day. I also got really hot and sweaty on the elliptical before I taught my class. I always turn the resistance up really high so I can sculpt sexy legs and it helps me in spinning class, too.

I'm about to eat an eggroll.

Sasquatch was so amazing. I can't wait to go again next year. People were passing out (from dehydration? too drunk? too high? who knows?). People were passing around joints, doing lines out of aluminum foil, all kinds of craziness. I had some beers in the car on the way (while Keith was driving) but immediately lost my buzz once I got in the sun. I hate that! I don't know how anyone can drink in the hot sun. No wonder people were passing out! Somehow we managed to get front and center for all three of our favorite bands. Jane's Addiction went on last, and after their first few songs Keith and I went to sit down and get some water. It had gotten pretty cold out, but we were hot because we were in the middle of all these disgusting hot sweaty people. I was about to vomit because I was grossed out. I was sick of marijuana smoke being blown in my face and I really needed some fresh air and water. In the 15 minutes we were standing up front, I managed to fall in love with Dave Navarro. I can't believe how old that band is. They got started in 1984. Perry Farrell asked if there was anyone in the crowd born after 1984 and of course there were tons. They were so ahead of their time back then. I don't like Jane Says and I really don't like Been Caught Stealing, but compared to the rest of the music being made around that time, they were amazing! It's hard to believe how old these guys are! Trent Reznor is now 44, Dave Navarro is 42, Perry Farrell is 50. Fifty!! He said when he dies he doesn't need the white lights and the harp, he just wants rock and roll! I loved it. He was really weird though. He should be a poster boy for a "this is your brain on drugs" campaign. He also said, "Don't anybody throw any shoes or even panties at me! If you're going to throw something at me, it better be fucking drugs!" I read on wikipedia today that he has two young sons. How cool it must be to have Perry Farrell as your dad! And at the end of their set, he said, "Juana's Adiccion" which just really made my night. 

Murder City Devils also played, and their lead singer was high, drunk, crazy, or maybe all three. He kept talking about faggots and dicks and told all the "straights" to turn around and not watch him. And he went on rants like this for like 5 minutes between each song. At first, Keith and I were really confused because we couldn't tell if he was gay-bashing or straight-bashing, but he was definitely doing one of the two! In the end, I concluded that he probably was gay and was not gay-bashing at all, but it still sounded that way and I didn't really like it. Speaking of that, what's up with California?!?! Unbelievable.

There was a girl there wearing nothing but a bra and underwear and a pink tutu. That will be me next year. It was the coolest outfit ever. 

When it came time for bed I really wanted to drive home, but it was too late and the drive was too far. I brought a roll of toilet paper so I decided to pee right beside the car. A guy sitting by his campfire saw it. Oops. It's Sasquatch, who cares? It was crazy because it was so hot during the day, and it got so cold at night! We brought blankets and pillows and socks but I was still freezing. The car wasn't that comfortable, but it's good to know that that's an option if we ever need it again. We folded the back seat down and made a little bed. We aren't very big people so we totally fit. Next time I will put more blankets down though to make it softer. We woke up at 5:30 the next morning and drove home. There is practically no night out here in the summer. It gets dark at like 10 and it's bright by 5. So weird! 

That eggroll was good. I think I'll have another! 

xoxo,

t

my day in pictures

I love these! (on the way)

stage! (note the gorgeous scenery)

avoiding tan lines in the most white trash way possible

keith and me

trent reznor

and finally... perry farrell! we really were this close, this was not zoomed!

Details coming soon...

in short

Three of my favorite bands. Thisclose. Lots of people. Lots of heat. Lots of sun. Not enough water. Slept in a car. With dirty feet. Drove four and a half hours home. Slept for three more. Now off to work. Amazing weekend.

yoga gem of the day

Today I read two Yoga Gems in class. One in the beginning, and one at the end. Here is the first one I read.

Our breath is constantly rising and falling, ebbing and flowing, entering and leaving our bodies. Full body breathing is an extraordinary symphony of both powerful and subtle movements that massage our internal organs, oscillate our joints, and alternately tone and release all the muscles in the body. It is a full participation with life.

-Donna Farhi

I didn't read this one in class, but I like it and feel like sharing it.

Youth is not a time of life- it is a state of mind. It is not a matter of ripe cheeks, red lips and supple knees. It is a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions. It is freshness of the deep springs of life. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.

-Swami Bua (age 110)

enlighten up

another perfect portland day

Today was lovely! I didn't sleep well last night, and I had to teach a class at 5:45 am, so that sucked a little, but it turned out to be a great class so that made me very happy! I made some new yoga cds last night. I just took a bunch of music I had and picked out bits and pieces I like and made two new marvelous compilations. I got a compliment on one this morning! The one I titled 'kiss my asana'! I didn't tell her what I named it, but she asked what the name of the CD was and I just told her I made it. She said it was beautiful, and it is. For my yogi friends, here is what was on it: Mantra Girl, Enigma, Deva Premal, and Donna De Lory. 

After I taught my class I came home and went back to sleep for two hours, then Keith and I went to breakfast at Biscuits. I had strawberry banana pancakes and three cups of coffee, and Keith had his usual two eggs, biscuits and hashbrowns and coffee. From there he went to the coffee shop to write and I went to Couch Park and laid out on a towel with my Yoga Gems book and I marked all the passages I liked the most.

This evening Keith and I walked around Portland and noticed that Jerry Seinfeld is here! We also went to the family fair thing down by the river, and that was nice but I wanted my nephews to be there with me. They would have loved it. They had a bunch of animals there and they all looked so sad. They were in these tiny little cages and it was loud and people were crowded around them. I think that's wrong. I think if you want to see animals, get on the max and go to the Oregon Zoo. It's three stops from our apartment. 

We could see Mount Hood tonight and it was so beautiful. It's beauty always takes my breath away for a second, every single time I see it. It is like nothing I have ever seen before. It's huge and covered in snow. No picture can do it justice. Mount Saint Helens is big too, but because of the eruption, one side of it is completely blown off. Decapitated, as they say. They both amaze me. When I am driving home from Tualatin on a clear day there is a point where I can see them both in the same view and that really blows my mind! 

Today I have been thinking about baby Ellie a lot. I can't wait to see her and hold her and hug her and kiss her! I can't even imagine how perfectly adorable she will be. 

I was going to go to the gym tonight but it is 9:00 already and I still have to shower, and I have to teach at 8:15 in the morning. I guess maybe I should just skip the gym for today! I have two discs of Gilmore Girls on DVD so maybe I will watch an episode or two before hitting the sack.

I think I'd like to take a spinning class tomorrow.

Sunday is the Sasquatch Festival and I could not be more excited! Jane's Addiction! Nine Inch Nails! TV on the Radio! And more! The festival lasts three days but we are only going to go to one. Tomorrow Devotchka and Kings of Leon and The Decemberists and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will be taking the stage. Monday Erykah Badu and Santigold will be there. What a great weekend of great music! The weather is supposed to be gorgeous, too. It's at the Columbia River Gorge, which is in Washington about 4 hours away.

I miss my family! 

xoxo,

t

PS- I meant to mention that last night as I was walking home from the gym I saw Mel (from my soccer team) sitting outside at Rogue having a beer, so I stopped and talked to her. It was nice to see a familiar face on the street! That doesn't happen to me very often yet here! 

yoga gem of the day

I read this to my 5:45 a.m. class today:

We must live in the now to follow the path to enlightenment. In the lower realms of the mind, where time and space seem very real, we are worried about the past or concerned about the future. These two inte rmingle and limit conscious awareness. A person functioning in the now is in control of his own mind. He is naturally happier, more successful. He is fulfilling every task with his fullest attention, and the rewards are to be seen equally in the quality of his work and the radiance of his face. He cannot be bored with anything he does, however simple or mundane. Everything is interesting, challenging, fulfilling. A person living fully in the now is a content person.

-Satguru Sivaya Subramaniyaswami

yoga gems

Once we accept a bad thought it is difficult to remove it, for it enters very deeply. So be yourself, and then see yourself. This is the first step in creating amity toward yourself, and when you have amity toward yourself, naturally you have amity for all. A person who does not harm himself or herself is not going to harm anyone else, for in order to harm somebody, one has to harm himself first. Think of a matchstick. When the matchstick tries to ignite something,  first it must burn its own face; it is not going to burn others if it does not first burn itself.

-Munishree Chitrabhanu

I got this great book today called Yoga Gems. I highly recommend this book to anyone! The cover says, "A treasury of practical and spiritual wisdom from ancient and modern masters." So great! I bought it so that I can read a passage to my students while they rest in savasana. I'm sure I will also share passages on my blog as well. 

I noticed I have a new follower... Ms. Christy Turnbow! Woohoo! Welcome to my blog! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!

I got some more edamame from Whole Foods and I think I will cook it now. I'm pretty hungry. I still taste the coffee I had this morning in my mouth, even though I have eaten and brushed my teeth and drank water since I had it! How weird.

I have written like seven blogs today. That is ridiculous. It definitely makes up for the days I don't blog at all. 

I'm going to watch another disc of Gilmore Girls while I eat my edamame. I keep wanting to type edamama! Edamame, edamama, who cares?! 

Jenn called today to tell me that I would be so proud of my niece. She had an ultrasound today and Ellie was laying on her tummy with her legs over her head! She's a baby yogini! I can't wait to hold and kiss her!

Okay, I'm done now! I think! Maybe I will blog again later tonight! Or maybe I won't! We'll see! :)

xoxo,

t

happy birthday river

I made this for River. Even though his birthday isn't until June 7, I still felt like sharing. I miss my boys more and more every day. Making this made me a little sad. Someone please give them a kiss from their Aunt Tami!

the peace book

I bought this book today for my nephews.

Peace is making new friends.

Peace is keeping the water blue for all the fish.

Peace is listening to different kinds of music.

Peace is saying you're sorry when you hurt someone.

Peace is helping your neighbor.

Peace is reading all different kinds of books.

Peace is thinking about someone you love.

Peace is giving shoes to someone who needs them.

Peace is planting a tree.

Peace is sharing a meal.

Peace is wearing different clothing.

Peace is watching it snow.

Peace is keeping the streets clean.

Peace is offering a friend a hug.

Peace is everyone having a home.

Peace is growing a garden.

Peace is taking a nap.

Peace is learning another language.

Peace is having enough pizza in the world for everyone.

Peace is keeping someone warm.

Peace is new babies being born.

Peace is being free.

Peace is traveling to different places.

Peace is wishing on a star.

Peace is being who you are.

Written by Todd Parr

let's be pen pals!

Email me at tami.hurley@yahoo.com and I will give you my address!

dear mom

Would you please make my life easier and join the rest of the 21st century by joining facebook?

hello

This morning I taught a class at Beaverton. I didn't want to wake up when my alarm went off at 8:20, so I decided I'd go to Starbucks and get a cup of coffee. They make strong coffee and I like it that way. Have I mentioned that I hate those stupid frou-frou drinks they make?! When I want coffee, I want coffee. I don't want 6 pumps of vanilla syrup and half a cup of  milk. And most importantly, I don't want a fat ass. I have gotten to where whenever I drink coffee, I take it almost black. I add a tiny bit of cream, just enough to change the color from black to dark brown, skip the sugar, and go on my way. I hate it when people are like, "I need coffee!" and they order a vanilla latte or something. Why don't you just go buy a chocolate bar? Chocolate has caffeine, too. And probably the same number of calories. Oh and by the way, fancy drinks at Starbucks (or Starbies as I for some reason call it sometimes) cost upwards of $5! A cup of coffee is only $1.50. Although I must admit, I did have to acquire a taste for plain coffee. At first I thought it tasted like I was licking a pile of dirt, but then I grew to like it, and I assume that's why people drink the sugary drinks. Keith is a fan of iced black coffee. I, however, prefer for mine to be hot.

By the way, I did eventually have a piece of cake last night when Keith got home. Do you love how I won't drink a sugary drink from Starbucks but I eat cake like there's no tomorrow? Yea, I love that too. You can call me a hypocrite, but I call it selective. I'd rather not waste calories on a drink when I can eat them. Mmm! Anyway, the cake was amazing, better than the yellow cake I made. Although the yellow cake was really good, too. Our friends Ramber are in the process of buying a house right now, and when they finally clo

se on one, I am going to make them a cake that says, "Congratulations", and maybe I will draw a little house on there as well! I love baking cakes. It's so easy and they taste so great! I know there is a way to make them with apple sauce and they are supposed to be healthier that way, so I think I will look that up and try it next time. Apple sauce is a staple in vegan baking. 

So back to my morning. I went to Starbucks and got a cup of coffee, and paid for my max ticket like a good Portlander, and went on my way. I got on the red train, which meant I had to transfer to the blue train at Beaverton Transit Center. I

 was cutting it a little close time-wise, so I asked a Tri-Met employee at the stop when the next train was coming. This led to a conversation, and he told me I needed to get a boyfriend or husband so he could drop me off at work and avoid the max altogether, and that if the boyfriend or husband didn't want to do that, then I should tell him I could find one who would. I informed him that I did indeed have a boyfriend, and it would be silly for him to drop me off at work because I teach yoga and so I only work for one hour at a time. He then told me that he had a son (who was probably older than me) who was a health nut. I asked him how old his son was and he said 37. I was thinking to myself, your son is PROBABLY older than me?! He could almost be my dad, for pete's sake. But I didn't say that, I just told him that yes, his son was older than me because I was only 23. Then he told me that I was in good shape (sounds creepy but it wasn't) and he asked if I had any kids. I said no. Then he

 said his son was a trainer at 24 Hour Fitness part time and that he was trying to build a clientele in his other business, which was gardening and cooking healthy food for people. Get out of town, I work for 24 Hour Fitness too! So he said, my son would love to meet you but you have a husband. I'm thinking, cool it buddy. I didn't say I was married I said I had a boyfriend, and by the way your son is 37. But he was nice. He said he doesn't exercise and he drinks coffee and doesn't eat very well. Then he said, "I used to do jazzercise, but I had a bone spur and my doctor told me I could either have an operation or stop doing what I was doing, so I stopped doing jazzercise." I thought that was really cute. As hard as I tried, I could not imagine this man doing jazzercise. 

So I got to my stop (which was only one stop away from where I met the Tri-Met guy), and had a few minutes to spare. I finished my coffee and went i

n to teach my class. It started out with only about 8 people, but doubled in size plus some because people came in late (of course). I had two very pregnant women. I mean they both had to have been in their last month of pregnancy. I wanted to help them more, but it's hard to do that without singling them out and boring the other class members. I just made it a point to offer lots of options and reminded students often to only take their poses as far as they felt comfortable. I reminded them to rest often and to modify in anyway they needed. I think the other class members appreciated those cues as well. The class had great energy today. I don't mean physical energy, I just mean the energy in the room was great. I love days like that. At the end of class, several people thanked me. I never say you're welcome, I always thank them back. You know, for their presence, for their effort, for their energy. And today a woman said, "No, thank YOU. That was a great class and I feel so wonderful." 

Which in turn, made me feel wonderful. I am so blessed to have a job that makes me (and other people) feel good. So many people do not have that luxury. Now if only I made more money doing it I'd be all set! But I know that one day I will. 

On the max ride home, there was a little boy who was in a wheel chair sitting across from me. It made me realize how very grateful I am for three beautiful and healthy nephews. I think so often we take things for granted and our health is one of them. I know I do. When things start to suck for me, rather than dwell on how much they suck, I try to be find something else that I am grateful for. For example, when my legs are tired from walking and my feet are killing me, I try to think, "At least I am able to walk." So many people can't. My beautiful grandmother couldn't, so sometimes when I feel lazy and don't want to w

alk (which is often because I live in a city where walking everywhere is a way of life) I think about her, and take the steps for her, or for anyone who is unable to walk. I know that sounds dramatic, but it's just something that pops into my mind. It's something I have learned to do through yoga. Almost every time I practice, I dedicate my practice to someone else or something. Sometimes I dedicate it to myself as well. And I always encourage my students to do this as well. When things get tough in class I say, "Remember why you came to your mat today. Remember your intention and focus on that."

I try very hard to be a good person and a good yogi. But I am human after all. Sometimes I eat cake, and say the f word, and have negative thoughts, but who doesn't? Well, not everyone says the f word. My mom doesn't.  But my dad says i

t enough for the both of them. Actually, my dad says it enough for her, me, my brother, and our entire extended family. But I love him for it. Just a little side note, I hate it when people get all uptight like, "oh my gosh, your dad said the f word around you when you were growing up?" I'm like, "F yea he did, and I never went without anything I ever needed, I never went without most of the things I wanted, and I never felt any less loved because he said a bad word in my presence." And what makes a word "bad" anyway? Sometimes it's just needed for emphasis. Who cares? So back to my original point, I do try to be a good person. I have opinions, and I realize that sometimes on my blog I sound self-righteous, but I don't ever mean to. 

My mom sent me an email and asked who Kathryn Budig is. She has a magnet with Kathryn Budig's face on it hanging on her refrigerator! I made inspirational magnets for everyone for Christmas last year, and Kathryn Budig is very inspirati

onal to me so I put her face on a magnet and gave it 

to my mom. She is an amazing yogini from Kansas who went to college at the University of Virginia and graduated with a degree in English in 2004. While there, she started practicing ashtanga yoga and is now a very famous teacher at Yoga Works in Los Angeles. She was one of the youngest ever yoga teachers on staff at Yoga Works. Plus is she beautiful. And real. One of her big things is making arm balances accessible to each and every one of her students. She is such an inspiration. If you ever get a chance, go to youtube and run a search on her. You'll be amazed by what you see. Here she is in galavasana (flying pigeon).

My shoulder is still bothering me. This is starting to worry me a little bit. I tried to do chaturanga today and I instead did plop-asana. I then decided, ok no more chaturangas until I figure out what is going on with my shoulder and fix it.

It's a gorgeous day here in Portland. Sunny and 65 degrees! I'm going to go to Powell's Books and Whole Foods here in a bit. Can you believe that Whole Foods sells edamame for much cheaper than Fred Meyer (which is Kroger but a lot better)? I love Whole Foods, if I was rich I would buy all of my groceries there. 

I think later today I am going to put all of my yoga music on the computer and combine some of it to make new yoga mixes. It will be cheaper than buying new music, plus I will be able to make some awesome mixes!

Two of my Wednesday and Friday morning regulars are going to be gone for an entire month. They are going on a cross country trip to see their son graduate with a Phd in chemical engineering from MIT and then they are bringing him back home. Can you imagine what it would take to get a degree like that? I don't even want to think about it. I hate school!

I'm off to get out and enjoy this beautiful day!

xoxo,

t

adorable

Would you please check out how super cute this top is?! And the flower belt I put with it! So cute, and such a great color!

no cake

I never did eat a piece of cake. It's 10:30 and I'm just now starting to feel a little hungry. I think that's my cue to go to bed.

After watching Chaotic I watched Britney Spears: For the Record on mtv.com because I just can not get enough of Britney. It was good.

Kathryn Budig is now my friend on facebook. How cool is that?

update

I never did take a nap. I am glad. I woke up at 5 to teach my class and went back to sleep at 8 and slept until almost 11. I figure that's not lazy because I missed three hours of sleep between 5 and 8, and I slept for three hours when I got home, which means if I didn't have to teach I would have woken up at 8 and that's pretty early. Keith and I have been waking up pretty early anyway recently.

I made a lemon cake with cream cheese icing. The icing is good. Sometimes cream cheese icing really tastes like cream cheese and that grosses me out. The house smells like sweet lemons. I like it.

I skipped the 7:30 spinning class but I did go to pilates at 6:30. I didn't like it. 

My left shoulder is killing me. I think it's my rotator cuff and it hurts. I just want it to go away.

Keith said he got an email from Simon's previous owner begging for him back. He is our furbaby now and neither of us want to give him back. I haven't read the email yet because Keith is at work. 

I am going to eat a piece of cake even though I'm not hungry and not even really craving it. I know it will taste so good and I can't wait for the first bite.

Right now I'm watching Chaotic, the story of Britney and Kevin. Yes, I love Britney Spears. I can't help it. This is like a blast from the past. I think I bought this for myself for my 19th or maybe 20th birthday. Actually it had to have been my 19th. 

I'm going to go curl up on the couch. This was a very unproductive day for me.

xoxo,

t

fun with photobooth

lazy

I am not feeling completely amazing today. I'm not sick or anything, I just feel really lazy and unmotivated. I was thinking about going to spinning at 4:15, but it's 3:45 and I was unable to muster up the strength to walk to the gym, which means I doubt I'd make it through an intense hour long class. There's another class at 7:30, so we'll see how I'm feeling in a few hours. I might just make this a totally lazy day where I do absolutely nothing. Although I did teach at 5:45 this morning, so I can't say I did nothing. I'm also thinking about baking a lemon cake with cream cheese icing. Keith requested it. 

I watched some Gilmore Girls today. I love that s

how! I remember when I first discovered it, I had gotten it on Netflix and I was living on Monument Avenue. I used to love to come home from work and watch it! It reminded me of Stormy, so we texted back and forth for a while. I miss her.

I am currently wearing the most comfortable sweater ever.

I wish I had another disc of Gilmore Girls to watch. Unfortunately I will not have anymore Netflix until tomorrow. I thought I sent Role Models (totally stupid movie) back but then I realized yesterday that it was still in the DVD player. I hate when that happens.

Yesterday I did a lot of cleaning and a lot of laundry. Feels good for things to be clean. I love clean sheets and towels. 

I am going to go have a nap... then fire the missles :)

hi mom

controversey

This poor little piggy is being hung upside down while the blood is being drained from her body. If this offends you, that's because it IS offensive. And gross. And this is what your strips of bacon and porkchops and pepperonis look like before they hit your plate. 

I don't know where this passion of mine came from, or how or when exactly it started, but animal cruelty is a real issue in this country and it's constantly overlooked. Why? Because people say "animals taste good", therefore they are willing to overlook the fact that these animals are inhumanely slaughtered by the millions. Nobody wants to look at the facts, the literature that proves that eating meat is the number one cause of global warming (even more than cars), and that we could help put an end to world hunger if we would send the wheat we grow to feed the animals we mass produce (and then kill) to countries with starving children. I urge you to think about this throughout your day. When you think you are making a healthy choice by ordering a grilled chicken salad, or a turkey sandwich, think again. Those animals are crammed into the back of a truck and forced to sit in their own feces and urine, which makes them sick, and you put this in your body! Animals are given steroids to make them grow faster and bigger so the meat and dairy industries can make more money, and that too goes in your body, and your children's bodies. Is it any wonder obesity is such an issue in this country? The milk of a cow is supposed to make a baby calf gain 500 pounds before they are weened, think about how this affects YOU. Humans are also the only species to drink the milk of another species, and also humans are the only species to drink milk as adults. People get so defensive and pissy whenever I bring this up. But I don't make this stuff up, it's the truth. 

I understand that there are more humane and more healthy ways to eat animals. It is my personal choice to avoid it altogether, but I am not really opposed to people who raise their own animals for food. This way, at least you know your animals get to roam free, you know they aren't pumped full of steroids and hormones. 

People say, "that's your choice to not eat animals, I can do what I want." That is very true. But the choices you make regarding the consumption of meat doesn't just affect you. It affects the whole world.

And while I'm on this controversial kick, let me say this. I HATE it when people bitch and whine about cigarette smoke. I don't smoke, I think it stinks and I don't know why anyone would choose to do it. But, if you choose to smoke, that is your choice and your right. The same mother who has one child and drives an enormous SUV that pollutes the air like nobody's business is the same woman who complains because someone walked by her on the sidewalk smoking a cigarette. And getting back to the animal-eating for a moment, do you know how much methane is produced and put into the atmosphere from COW SHIT?! Feel free to google it. Back to the cigarettes, I don't think an indoor restaurant should be allowed to have a smoking section unless it is completely separate from the non-smoking section. I don't think smoking in restaurants should be outlawed altogether. And get this! Brandy and I were sitting n the sidewalk the other day and she was smoking, and a cop came up to her and said, "You can't smoke on this block." Wha-wha-whaaaaat?! No smoking OUTSIDE?! I thought, you have got to be kidding me. 

So yes, cigarettes are harmful to your health. Yes, cigarette smoke is a carcinogen. But guess what- so is meat. So what's next? Are we going to outlaw the consumption of meat? Maybe you are thinking right now that your eating a steak doesn't affect my health the way my smoking a cigarette would affect yours. Yes it does. Two words. Global warming. It's my world, too. And by you eating meat, your carbon footprint is WAY bigger than mine. 

Another thing I'd like to touch on: hunting. If you eat the animal that you slaughter, fine. If you kill living things for shits and gigs, I think you're completely in the wrong (and weird).

I really hope I haven't offended you to the point where you are pissed at me, but I do hope you'll think twice before eating a piece of meat today! Giving it up is the best thing you can do for the world and for your body. Definitely something to consider. If you don't know how to give it up,  or where to start, talk to me. I'd be elated to give you some pointers.

it's what's for dinner?

After a metal bolt is shot through their brains, cows are hung upside-down by their back legs and moved down the slaughter line to the throat-cutter. The bolt often misses its mark, leaving these cows conscious and able to feel pain when their throats are cut. The Washington Post details the difficulty of stunning cattle effectively to prevent them from being skinned and dismembered alive: "An effective stunning requires a precision shot, which workers must deliver hundreds of times daily to balky, frightened animals that frequently weigh 1,000 pounds or more. Within 12 seconds of entering the chamber, the fallen steer is shackled to a moving chain to be bled and butchered by other workers in a fast-moving production line."

don't say hubby

I have a lot of pet peeves. One of them that I've been noticing a lot lately is the usage of the word 'hubby'. I hate it! I told Keith that if we ever got married and he referred to himself as my hubby or me as his wifey, that divorce papers would be drawn up. I see this on facebook all the time. "I love my hubby", "Hubby and I are going on a date", "I miss my hubby", and the list goes on. And WHY is it that half the people I went to high school with are already married and/or reproducing?! I'd love to know the actual percentage. My brother and his wife got married and started a family young, as did my own parents, so I shouldn't be so judgmental about it. I just know that getting married and baby-making aren't at the top of my to-do list. Don't get me wrong, I do want these things. But not today. And not tomorrow either.

By the way, call me Britney Spears, 'cause I love Cheetos, y'all!

i like to spin

Keith and I woke up early and went to the gym this morning. We go to the gym together a lot, but rarely (actually never) work out together. He likes the treadmill for cardio, I like the elliptical. I like spinning and yoga classes, he likes weights. So this morning I took an awesome spin class and he did weights. 

I'm off all day and I will spend a big part of the day doing laundry and cleaning the apartment. Simon is cute but he is always making a mess. He makes a mess where his food is, and he kicks his litter out of the box. Drives me nuts! And plus I've been lazy about cleaning for the past week or so. That will change today.

Stepbrothers is a funny movie. Will Ferrell is amazing.

I think I have injured my rotator cuff on my left shoulder. Not good! I noticed it the other day while doing chaturanga. 

I feel skinny today.

officially official

I was going to post the picture of my "diploma", if that's what you want to call it, in a regular blog and then I said...

NO!

I am too proud of that piece of paper, it's going front and center. Go me!

In order to be registered on Yoga Alliance's website, I have to pay them $80. As if I haven't already spent enough on my yoga education. I teach yoga for a living. I don't have eighty bucks laying around so my name can be posted on a website.  

out west

I am thinking about cutting my hair short gain. I have a nice bone structure and I feel like I should be taking advantage of that. I don't even think my hair looks very good long. I don't know why I ever try to grow it out. I also hate blow drying it and flat ironing it every day. 

I live on the west coast. I have to tell myself that sometimes because I dreamed about it for so long and now I finally do. I live on the west coast. I love on the west coast. I am where I want to be. I have everything I ever wanted. Really. I do. 

I love the desert. I want to live in it. I have never been to Arizona but something tells me I would like it. I like anything that's different from Virginia. Sorry, mom. It's not a personal attack on you. I just enjoy new experiences. I experienced Virginia for 23 years. In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, "We're so over, we need a new word for over." 

My yoga classes are going really well. I have grown so much as a teacher since I've been here. One day I will own my own studio in Southern California. Mark my words. 

I'm done blogging for real now.

After I post one more thing.

what aisle did you find your serenity in?

Nobody comments on my blog. I want to know why. Is that because no one reads it?

It's pretty hot in the apartment due to the lack of air conditioning. It's like Grace Street all over again. Minus the hookers.

This morning I worked at Gap for a little bit. I love it. I can't wait to go back. I also taught a yoga class at Beaverton. This morning when I went into Gap, a fellow employee said, "Oh my gosh, did you teach my yoga class yesterday?" My days seem to run together since I don't do that much other than teach yoga and go to the gym, but I figured that I probably did teach his yoga class. I thought about it and remembered that I did teach a class yesterday. A big one. 45 people. Classes at that location are always big. 

I don't mind the apartment being hot except for when I am trying to sleep. We can't sleep with the window in the bedroom open either because between the max going by and drunken bums shouting at each other (or nothing at all, they do that sometimes too) it is way too loud. I will have to get creative here. 

Today I had a cookie and french fries from Wendy's. I had forgotten how delicious Wendy's french fries are. The cookie was very sugary. 

The apartment is a mess. In my eyes, at least. I am quite anal about the cleanliness of my home. The other night I was laying in bed and decided that I couldn't sleep until I got up and cleaned the bathroom. So I did. And then Keith trimmed his beard and got tiny hairs in the sink again. And Simon immediately pooped in his litter box moments after I changed it. Boys.

I am tired. I think I will put a movie in and lay in bed. Or on the bed, since it's too hot to lay in it. Not that I'm complaining, I have been sick of the cold for quite some time. This was the first summery weekend we've had and I loved it.

Sasquatch Festival is next Sunday. Jane's Addiction, TV on the Radio, Nine Inch Nails. Oh. My. God. Two of my favorite bands in the same day. I don't think I can handle it. I love Portland.

The max for whatever reason has random poetry posted, and I saw this poem by Alison Luterman. It's called I Confess. And I confess, I love it. 

I stalked her

in the grocery store: her crown

of snowy braids held in place by a great silver clip,

her erect bearing, radiating tenderness,

watching

the way she placed yogurt and avocados in her  basket,

beaming peace like the North Star.

I wanted to ask, “What aisle did you find

your serenity in, do you know

how to be married for fifty years or how to live alone,

excuse me for interrupting, but you seem to possess

some knowledge that makes the earth turn and burn on its axis—“

But we don’t request such things from strangers

nowadays. So I said, “I love your hair.”

side note

There is nothing like a southern redneck. I've been a lot of places and seen a lot of things, and met all different types of people. Southern rednecks are their own breed. Some people out here drive trucks and hunt and fish, but they don't compare to the southern redneck. The folks out here who enjoy hunting and fishing are more just outdoorsy than anything else. I have seen very few confederate flags on Oregon and I can't say that I mind. I have noticed that the south is still very much stuck in it's old southern ways. Race doesn't really seem to be an issue here the way it is back home. Although Brandy told me yesterday that in North Portland, there's a group of black men who hold megaphones and yell about white people (specifically women) being the devil. Excuse me, but why is this okay? If I stood on a corner with a megaphone complaining to everyone who walks by about black people, I would be killed, on the news, in jail, or maybe all three. But black people can get away with this sort of thing. Are people scared to say something to them for fear of the race card being pulled, or what? It gets on my nerves! When I have kids, I will raise them to not see color. Closed-minded people (black or white, and it goes both ways) piss me off. These are the kinds of people who need to close their mouths and open their minds and hearts. 

xoxo,

t

strawberry wine

Forgive me for saying this, but some people I went to high school with (guys and girls) have blown up like balloons. Unless you have had children (which lord knows probably half the people I went to school with have) there is no excuse to have gotten so big when you are in your early to mid twenties! My mom tells me that she doesn't know anybody else who cares as much about health as I do, but still. Even if you aren't worried about your physical appearance, don't people worry about their health? 

Keith and I are watching W. It's an Oliver Stone film. I wish I had realized that before I Netflixed it but I didn't. I hate Oliver Stone. There was just a scene where Dubya was out for a run and began to feel dizzy. I said, "If he sees Jesus, I am turning this off." My mouth hit the floor about 3 seconds later when he saw Jesus. I could not believe it. Oliver Stone did the same thing in his movie about 9/11, and his movie Alexander has to be the biggest piece of garbage ever made. Whoever was in charge of casting should be blacklisted from Hollywood. Angelina Jolie as Colin Farrell's mother? Come on. Get real.

I started my job at the Gap today. It was my first training shift and I loved it. I am going in for more training Sunday morning and I'm really excited about it. 

Today was a gorgeous day and this weekend is supposed to be even better! 85 and sunny! San Diego weather, I love it!

I'm going to go finish watching this ridiculous movie. It's getting late, I will be hitting the sack shortly after it goes off!

xoxo,

t

PS- I'm listening to Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter. It's one of the few country songs that I like and I LOVE it. I think I'll do karaoke to it sometime in the future. 

you must watch this

beautiful morning

It's a beautiful spring morning in Portland. When the sun shines here, it is so perfect. Everything is so green and the sky is so blue. 

I'm watching Anchorman right now. It's so funny! It makes me wish I was in San Diego because that's where it takes place. Ohhh San Diego...

Keith and I have learned that we can buy an Amtrak ticket for cheap and go to a bunch of cities over a two week period. I think we are going to plan for that next year sometime, maybe for his 30th birthday. We would go from Portland to San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and then back to Portland. It will be great. I'd like to pack my bags and leave today! I love to travel. I thought about Erica in Hawaii and how it must be nice living there because it's so pretty, but then I realized you can never travel unless you travel by air and that's expensive! Then I realized I might feel a little claustrophobic after living in Hawaii for a while. 

I am going to the gym today. There's a spinning class at noon and I will do some extra cardio on my own before that. Even though I have been eating cake I feel skinny because I've been working out a lot. Spinning makes you skinny and I like that about it. After I go to the gym I think I will bake another cake. This one will not have icing. I like icing but I prefer cake without it. Some people would say ketchup ruins a good steak. I would say icing ruins a good cake. 

I still don't feel like finishing my yoga blog yet. I will probably start working on it again in a month! That blog took a long time to write and I'm not even sure anyone other than my mom read it.

Lots of people are having babies. People are multiplying like crazy. 

I am not teaching any classes today so I will probably blog more later! It's what I like to do when I'm bored.

Have a great Thursday!

xoxo-

t

surprise

When I checked my mail today, I had a pleasant surprise- a package from my Aunt Carolyn. I opened it and inside was this lovely scarf and a very nice note to go along with it. She made this scarf just for me with lots of love. I feel special! And check me out, I'm cooking edamame on the stove!

stay tuned

Part two of "yoga and my life" is coming soon. I have to have a lot of time to sit down and write it and my mind has to be in the right place.

I took a great yoga class yesterday and feel very inspired. I have already taught two classes today and will teach one more tonight.

Babette had her baby last night. Annabelle Perry Isbill weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and is very cute! 

I can't wait to meet my niece. She will be perfect.

yoga and my life part one

I have the best memories of my yoga teacher training. I met the best people while I was doing that, and I also feel like I was reintroduced to myself as well. Maybe not even reintroduced, more like introduced! The whole process and experience had a profound impact on me. I will be paying that off for the rest of my life, but who cares! I am so happy to have that experience and knowledge under my belt. Here's a quick recap (if you're interested, which I assume you are if you're reading my blog) of my yoga background and teacher training.

I always thought it would be so cool to be a yoga teacher, but I also thought it was very unattainable for some reason. My interest in yoga began when I was 16 when Sarah and I bought a yoga DVD and practiced on her bedroom floor. The workout nearly killed us. I'd love to see that DVD so I could look back and see what nearly killed me! I remember we laughed at the things they said like, "soften your face" and "elongate your spine" and those are things I say all the time now! Sarah bought me a purple yoga mat for my 17th birthday, that I still have and use to this day, and I bought another DVD. I did 15 minutes of yoga a day almost every day after school. Or during school hours when I was supposed to be in school, whatever. I thought I was so cool and so hardcore for doing 15 minutes of yoga. I remember they held plank for 5 or so breaths and dolphin plank too, and everytime I held it without sinking my hips or dropping my knees I was like, I am awesome! Soon I started taking yoga classes at the gym, and still doing my DVD's at home. When I was about 19 or 20, I started taking classes at American Family regularly and even scheduled my plans around my yoga classes. I would go three or four times a week, sometimes more, sometimes less. I loved it. My favorite teachers were Challie and Iffet, and eventually I grew very partial to Iffet and only went to her classes. I loved her style, and I got to know her in class. One day after class, a little more than a year ago, I told her I really wanted to teach but that I didn't think I could do it. She encouraged me to do it and said she saw a light in me. 

I signed up for my first teacher training with YogaFit in April, and the training was June 6 and 7 in Woodlake. I was so nervous! Iffet hooked me up with Cindy, another one of her students who was going through the training. Neither of us had ever met, so we decided to meet at the gym one day. She was older (like 50s I'd guess) and she was a bit of an odd bird. Not like eccentric odd, I can appreciate that, I mean just plain odd. She didn't really seem to have a sense of humor or anything like it. But I was still glad to have someone to walk into the training with on the first day. We met at the gym and carpooled. She drove the first day and she was driving a BMW, one of those little two seater convertible ones. It was NICE. So when she complained that she was broke I thought that was a bit odd. I drive a nice car and I am broke, but I am young. It just struck me as odd that this woman was in her fifties, living in a big ass house in Wyndham (yuppy central) and driving a BMW and complaining about money. I am getting way off track here. But hey, it was a part of my experience. I wish I could remember what I wore that first day. I remember that it was hot as h-e-double L outside! I had NO idea what to expect when I walked into the room! We had to fill out some paperwork (which I would soon learn was a part of every training) and then we got a "free" yoga mat. I say "free" because the training cost upwards of $300. Kelli Braud was our trainer and she is so cute. Sheila was her assistant, who I had later for my Level one retrain in Norfolk. It was nice to have two trainers, because normally a level one class would only have one trainer. The first day seemed so long, and I remember thinking to myself, "Oh my gosh, how will I ever remember all of this? How will I ever be able to communicate this information to students? I am in so over my head." But at the same time, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. The day truly seemed never ending! We had introductions (there were about 22 of us in class), master classes, team teaching (which was interesting being that very few of us had ever taught), games, lectures, it was intense! The training was from 8-6 both days, and at the end of the first day I was so ready to go home! I could barely sleep form information overload and pure excitement. The next day, it was my turn to drive. Cindy seemed confused and wasn't sure if YogaFit teacher training was for her. She kept asking, "So if we can teach after this training, why would we go through the whole 200 hours?" She just refused to understand. As we were driving there, (it was about a 40 minute drive) she told me a story about how she took an aspirin and didn't drink enough water and immediately laid down. Then the aspirin came back up and burned a hole in her esophogous or chest or something and she had to go to the hospital and it was horribly painful, and you better believe that story has stuck with me ever since then. I always take medicine with a FULL glass of water and wait 15 or so minutes before I lay down! I'm getting off track again. So anyway, day two of the training was pretty jam-packed, and we didn't get out early either! We were there for the full 10 hours. If anyone every wonders what it means when I say I am RYT-200, it means that I had 200 hours of formal training. 18 of them were completed during that first weekend. After I finished that weekend, I went to River's birthday party. I was exhausted but felt great at the same time. 

I decided that I wanted to sign up for more trainings right away, but I didn't have a way to pay for them. My dad didn't seem to think it was legit education, and my boyfriend (who could pinch pennies out of his ass) didn't want to lend me the money. Good thing anyway because we broke up because he was controlling and couldn't have been more my opposite. SO, anyway I decided I'd get an interest free Mastercard and sign up for as many classes as I could. That I did. 

I signed up for Pre-Post Natal and Seniors trainings in the same weekend, June 21 and 22 in Washington, DC. Washington Sports Club in Georgetown to be exact. I drove up there all by myself, not knowing a soul. Step one of my growth, because that was a big step for me to not know where the place was and not know anyone there, either. Level one gave me a great confidence boost! I had to leave Richmond before 6 in the morning, because the training was supposed to start at 8. I was tired before I even got there! After reading Skinny Bitch, I gave up coffee for over a year, but I decided I needed a soy latte so I got one from Starbucks that morning, so I got one. I was wired. Caffeine doesn't have much effect on me, but it did that day because I had gone so long without it! Plus I think I added an extra shot of espresso or something. So anyway, I was walking around looking for WSC and could not find it to save my life. I called my mom and woke her up and asked her to double check the address online for me, and I had it right. I just couldn't find it! Then I saw the sign, but could not figure out how to get into the building! Turns out, it was in the mall. Once I figured out how to get in there I felt much better. It was the weirdest place for a gym! There were about 20 of us in the class, and Kristin Mabry (AMAZING WOMAN) was the trainer. Iffet told me she was the finest trainer YogaFit had and she was not kidding! I loved her. We did our introductions, and I was the last to go. We had to tell everyone a good movie we had seen recently, and to my surprise and dismay, nobody said the Sex and the City movie. I even said, "Are you kidding me!? How could nobody have said that?!" It had just come out the month before. This training was so fun because it was only a day long and I got to pretend to be pregnant, so I could be lazy during the master classes and we got to do some restorative and comfy poses. We all had to stuff pillows or tshirts up our shirts, except for the couple of students who really were pregnant. I learned a whole lot. I was pretty much the only trainee who had never been pregnant, so I felt like people thought I was asking stupid questions but I didn't care. I have no idea what it's like to have a human growing inside of me and I don't particularly care to know at this point in my life either! So out came the stupid questions. I met a cool woman who was a dentist and yoga teacher on the side. That training seemed to fly by! It was so much fun and the studio was beautiful and peaceful.I remember I bought a 'peace' tank top and a pair of bamboo pants and a pair of flex pants and a Slow Flow Yoga CD that I have never listened to in class because it will bore me to tears. I drove all the way home to Richmond that night, it was about two and a half hours with traffic. Bummer! Then I turned around and drove straight back the next morning for Seniors training! There were only 6 trainees in there and Kristin had to catch a flight back to Alaska so she let us out at 4:30. I learned a lot in this training as well, but nothing really sticks out in my brain about it. I remember I walked to Starbucks with Kristin and told her my plan to complete my 200 hours before the year was out and she said it was a lot to take on, but that it was doable. Everyone seemed to think I was a crazy person for going through it so fast, so I had to explain about a million different times that my weekends were my own and that I did not have a husband or kids to hold me back. It takes some people three or more years to complete their 200 hours, so people were pretty impressed that I did it in six months. When I drove home after the second day I was totally wiped out. I had taken in so much information, met so many new people, conquered DC traffic, parking and navigating all on my own (still making it to my classes on time), and I was feeling great. I listened to Mantra Girl the entire time I was in the car! I love that CD so much. 

My next training was Level 2 and I took that in Richmond at the Richmond Athletic Club (where I would later teach) July 12 and 13. When I walked into that room on the first day, I felt so much more confident than I did when I walked into Level 1. It was amazing. I started teaching my community service classes to Cora and the girls and had taught one or maybe two of them at this point. I felt like a total badass yoga teacher. Mary Sargent was the trainer and she is so sweet. She is from Wilson, NC and had the cutest accent. If you know me at all, you know I adore the country accent and imitate it well. I loved the way she said 'awesome'. We learned about the yamas and niyamas (restraints and observances) and had a master class, pose breakdown, lecture, discussion, team teaching, you name it we did it! This training went by so much faster than level one! I was really enjoying it, and there were some more experienced teachers in there as well. Five students were finishing their 200 hours with that class, so it was very inspiring. That's the class where I met Patricia and Preston. It's also the class where I discovered Be Present pants! I bought a pink henley that I absolutely loved and my team teaching went very well. I remember some of the fellow trainees were impressed when I told them I had never taught ever. Although I must admit, Iffet was YogaFit trained as well, and after taking so many of her classes, I had become familiar with the style! I felt even more after this training that I was where I should be. I remember after the first day, I picked Stormy up and we went back to my house and goofed off. It was fun, I danced and sang to Britney Spears and she recorded it. I was so excited, and I stayed up way too late! As exhausting as these trainings were, they always seemed to give me energy! I had a cinnamon bagel at Panera with Cindy in the morning before the second day and did my homework (linking five poses together in a flow) and then went to tackle the second day. People in the class were amazed that I had only been training for a month and I had already done four classes! In turn, I was amazed that some people had been working toward the same goal as me for years. I loved the trainings way too much to let much time pass between each one! After each class when I was handed my certificate, I was so proud. I wanted to frame them all, but I didn't because in the end I would have ten of them! 

I'm getting tired of writing this.

Level 3 was in Fairfax August 2 and 3. Don't ask how I remember these dates. I am the worst when it comes to math, but I can remember dates like nobody's business. Susie Celentano was the trainer. I had never met her or heard of her before this class. I hate Northern Virginia. It was exhausting getting up so early to drive for two hours before taking a 10 hour class and then driving for two more hours, but I did it. I was trying to save money by not getting a hotel room, but I ended up being so exhausted that I vowed to never do that again. I was not a big fan of level three. I broke a yoga rule and went into it with expectations, and I was disappointed. We were supposed to learn all about the chakras and physical adjustments and I just did not take out of that class what I had wanted to. I did meet some great people though. I reconnected with Meleah from my level one in Richmond, I also met Sara who would later be in my Level 4 in Fort Lauderdale and my Level 5 in Ohio. The more I got into these trainings, the more I became connected with people. I made so many connections over that 6 month stretch! I remember I was considering taking Level 4 in Fort Lauderdale at this time, but I hadn't found roommate yet. Shortly thereafter, I met Dacia on the YogaFit forums and that's how we came to be. More on that later. I mostly stuck with Meleah during level three. She was married and had no kids, and had a strong ashtanga background. We had lunch together both days and shopped a little too. 

I did my Level one retrain in Norfolk August 16 and 17 (I think) and that was one of my favorites by far! I went into it thinking I already knew everything about Level one there was to know, but I was wrong! I could take any of these trainings a million times over and learn something new every time! And I met the BEST people! I stayed with Cora and we watched the Olympics that night with Leigh and she made the yummiest food! In class I met my beloved Dana Walters, I also met Michele, Karen, two Saras, and quite a few others. It was a total blast. Mark was our trainer and he was  a hoot, and Shelia was the assistant again and that was fun! They had a great chemistry so it was really quite fun, never dull! 

Anatomy and Alignment training was very hard, and I was not looking forward to it. I had to study in advance and do some homework, so I hated that part. BUT! That was a very special training for me because after the first day of training, I got a phone call from Keith. I hadn't heard his voice in two years and it was the best thing ever. That's another novel of a blog though for another day! I decided to go up to Fairfax Friday night instead of Saturday morning. I decided I didn't care how much a hotel was, I was going to be well rested for this class. It took me forever to find the stupid hotel I had made a reservation at, but I finally did. It was 11 pm when I finally walked into the main office, and while I was waiting for the clerk to come to the desk, a woman walked in wearing a jacket with a YogaFit emblem on it. I spoke to her, and ended up asking her if she'd like to share a room. She said yes. Her name was Noreen and she was from Erie, PA. Very nice lady. She had a daughter who was pregnant with twins. She snored, so that was annoying, but it saved me $70. Jane and Susie were our trainers and the class was so hard! I felt like everything went in one ear and out the other, but it didn't. I could definitely stand to retrain that class, but parts of it come back to me when I need them. I didn't think I learned anything, but a few weeks and even months down the road, I realized that I did. The second day of training I was on a cloud because I had spent a couple hours on the phone with Keith the night before, and I also got to have lunch at Wegman's that day with my dear friend Jon! 

I am really getting quite sick of writing all of this and Keith is ready to hang out with me, so I will finish this tomorrow! I will pick back up with Level 4 in Fort Lauderdale! That story is likely to be as long as this entire blog!

Have a great night!

xoxo,

t 

i love you mom!

Happy mothers day! I made a cake! I miss my mom today! I wish she could be here to help me eat this yummy cake!

Today was a good day. I taught a yoga class at 10:30 at Tualatin and then I laid around and watched an entire disc of Sex and the City. Season 4 disc 1 if you're wondering!

Two men on the street wished me a happy mothers day. Just because I am a woman does not mean I am a mother. I was wondering if I looked pregnant or something? I hope not!

Keith and I are going to go to the gym, and probably come home and eat half of this cake. Mmm! Sorry this blog is so short (mom!), but I will write more tomorrow when Keith goes to work! All I have to do tomorrow is teach a class at 4:15, so I'll have all the time in the world to blog my heart out.

xoxo,

t

happy birthday hunter

Happy Birthday to my dear sweet Hunter Lee! He is 11 years old today. I can't wait to hear his voice when I call him later today! He always says, "Hi Aunt Tami" in the sweetest voice ever. I remember one time he wrote my name on a card when he was very little and he wrote Anut Tami. It was so cute. I just love him to pieces. Jenn just told me that River will be starting hockey in June, I am so sorry I won't be there to see that! He told her, "I don't want anybody to knock me down!" River is hilarious. 

Keith's dad is in town now and we've been having a good time. He got in Monday evening and he came with Keith to my soccer game, which we WON by the way, five to one! Tuesday Keith had to work, so we walked around the Pearl District for a bit and had lunch at Rogue where Ryan waited on us. We took a tour of their distillery and then went to Everyday Music and Powell's. Then when Keith got home I went to teach a yoga class and afterwards we went to Bara Sushi with Ramber. I love that place! Yesterday we didn't do much of anything during the day but when Keith got off work we went to Cannon Beach and it was so much fun! Today we are going to walk around and see some sights, and when Keith gets off we are going to Portland City Grill for some mojitos and then to Multnomah Falls. 

I want to write more but we are getting ready to go to breakfast, so I'll finish this later!

xoxo,

t

PS- Happy birthday to my Grandpa, too. I miss him.

PS.

Keith won the best boyfriend ever award yesterday when he came home with a vegan Saint Cupcake for me. Mmm!

short and sweet

I have a soccer game tonight at 8:15. I planned to go to a spinning class at 10 this morning, but I got a text from my boss at 9 asking me to teach a class at 10:15. So I taught the class and skipped spinning. I was disappointed, but I could use the money. I'm getting ready to go teach again at 4:15 and I think I will work out on the elliptical before class. Today was Keith's first day at Netflix. I hope he is having a good day and that he will like the job and get a good schedule. His dad will be here very soon... two and a half hours! I have spent the afternoon watching season 4 of The O.C. and straightening up. Keith and his dad will probably come to my soccer game tonight. I hope I don't embarrass myself. I think I've gotten to the point where I look like I have a general idea of what I'm doing (according to Erica) so I think I'll be fine. 

I recently discovered that I love eating canned vegetables. It's great because they are cheap and healthy and when I throw them together in a pan and heat them on the stove I feel like I am cooking. I think I'll start getting really fancy and adding some spices or something.

Erica told me about a giant mass of plastic that is twice the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean in an area where there isn't much current. 12 years ago, it was the size of Texas and it has now more than doubled in size. You can google it if you think I'm bs'ing. 

Every time I sit down to write a blog I always intend to make it short and then I don't want to stop. Now I will make myself stop. More later...

xoxo,

t