C'est la vie, non?

It is really fun to read some of these old blogs. I went back and read the first few ones I had written. They were fun--I like me. :) It made me feel a little sad though in a kinda nostalgic way. I was wondering if I'm still as funny (quirky?) as I was back then? I wonder if being deployed has somehow taken my spunk away or at the very least, dulled it?

I am feeling less than motivated. Ever since Max went up to Wisconsin, I have been a bit lame. I don't really feel like doing much of anything. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I'm not a stronger person. My face is a wreck. I haven't worked out. I'm neglecting my studies. Need I go on?

I have been writing letters.

I wish I had some peace.

Cat Bath

Poor dirty little cats....

I waited until the sun was low enough in the sky to add a bunch of warmth to the sun room (recovery room). As I filled the bath tub, Sarra came along to inspect.

Ha ha! Gotcha kitty!!

Actually, Sarra is super good in the bath. I can take both of my hands off her and she just looks at me, like "Soo... are you getting in too?" After I finished with Sarra and deposited her in the recovery room, I had to get set up for Mable. I filled the tub and got the towel ready. Mable is never ready. I found her eagerly awaiting the bath.

Can't hide from me!!

I fetched Mable (from here on out, we will refer to her as El Mable Diablo). She groaned audibly and tensed up... and then.... she peed all down my leg. Yup. Lovely. In the tub you go!

El Mable Diablo stikes again!

So glad that's done. :)

Life alone in Texas

Ugh.

This is not my favorite. It is harder than I imagined to live without Max. I mean, I know it is for a short time. I'm struggling a bit with jealousy. Jealous that he is beginning our new life in Madison without me. It is silly, I know, but all the fun new things he is doing are things that we've talked about doing together. It wouldn't make any sense for him to delay doing those things until I get up there. That's silly. I just really don't like being here. I feel a bit left behind. mrf. The cats are no help either.

I am ready for the move.

Day 10 of 40

I heard a knock this morning and it woke me up before my alarm. It sounded as if it was a knock on my bedroom door but unless the cats have learned how to do it, it must have been my imagination.

I also had lots of vivid dreams last night (of course there was shopping involved).

My back was not tight today. That was a relief. The cats left me alone to meditate which was courteous of them. :)

Day 6 of 40

Got up a bit early this morning: 5:30. Megan is coming over to go for a run and we wanted to avoid the heat so we're going early.

Sarra joined me in yoga this morning by stretching out her back while I stretched out mine. :) Then when I was meditating she decided to drink water out of her water bowl in a very obnoxious manner. It was irritating.

Now I am just waiting for Megan to get here.... doo doo doo she's always a bit late.

Day 5 of 40

I woke up at 6:30 this morning--a little late. Max had already left to go workout at the gym. I did my A.M. Yoga and then began my meditation. The cats left me alone but Max came home about halfway through it. Then he took a shower. It was difficult to concentrate.

Jacque kept coming into my thoughts as I was meditating. I think I worry too much about her. Sigh.

Well, I have to digest my breakfast now.

Day 3 of 40

Again my legs fell asleep, although not as bad as the first day.

The cats left me alone today except Mable did keep guard of the far end of my yoga mat while I meditated. I think maybe she was trying to make sure no one else got my attention before she did (she was first in line).

My back is pretty stiff during the A. M. Yoga routine. I wonder if that will change the longer I do it or if it is just because I was sleeping. I had weird dreams last night.

Day 2 of 40

I feel very calm.

Another 6 a.m. wake-up and A.M. Yoga--which Mable enjoyed very much. I think it was her way of welcoming me to the new day--either that or her food bowl is empty.

The meditation was easier, or maybe I should say, smoother? I feel really good.

I am going to do my run now. Today it is 5 x 400 meters.

Day 1 of 40

I woke up around 5:40. I went to bed pretty early last night.

My A.M. Yoga was short and easy.

I got out my japa mala and sat cross-legged seated on a folded blanket. I closed my eyes and began my mantra "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti". Next bead. After a few beads, words that were NOT my mantra began to float around my head. First 'peace' then words like 'this is going to take awhile' or 'shut-up Sarra'. I tried my best to drown them out with my mantra.

When I was finished, my legs (especially my left) were completely asleep. It was painful waiting for the blood to completely return to my limbs.

Overall, I am happy to be done with it. I am contemplating removing Sarra's bell from her collar and possibly locking her in the room with Max.

40 Day Journey

So, I have this meditation necklace (japa mala). It is supposed to be used for 40 days consecutively with the same mantra in order to empower it. I thought about it and decided that if I'm going to empower this necklace it makes sense to incorporate another activity at the same time. So, I have been continually wishing that I did yoga each morning (perhaps my A.M. Yoga DVD?) and this 40 day time frame would certainly be enough time to develop a habit, no? Habits....

I don't want to be too ambitious with this 40 day thing. I will be starting school at the same time. Perhaps yoga followed by meditation will suffice? I need to brainstorm more about this. I know I am not up for another "diet" or fast. I am starting my half-marathon re-train on Sunday so I will have that going on as well. Haha, the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that meditation and yoga will be plenty!!! Ok, well here goes it.

I will begin my A.M. Yoga followed by meditation using my japa mala for 40 days starting on Monday, August 23rd.

I will do my best to record my progress here.

Ireland or bust!

Tomorrow Max and I are bound for Ireland! :) We will be traveling around by car on the Emerald Isle. I am super excited!!!

Also, I have finished another semester at UH with a 4.0. I am relieved that my hard work is paying off.

Next step: Organic Chemistry over the summer. Wooo... :( ?

Holidays and Runningdays

I finished the 10k training and have moved on to a 1/2 marathon training program. I have reached 10 miles so far and keep plugging away. Max has been my partner through all of this and I doubt I would have had the motivation to do it had he not been there beside me. We are going to run a 1/2 marathon in New Orleans on February 28th, 2010. I am excited.

I am currently on my winter break from school. Spring semester classses pick up on January 19th. I am enjoying the break but am eager to begin the next semester. I just want to be done already! :) So far, I am doing well. This past semester I received all A's. (Yay!)

Max and I went to my aunt Dawn's for Thanksgiving and also went up to Kansas City after Christmas. It was nice to see family and friends. I got Max a Tivo for christmas and he got me a new computer.

Max's birthday party (which we threw after we got back from KC) was a hit! We had more people in this apartment than we ever have before. Crazy leaning tower of pisa cake.