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.

Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Mileage

We went to the Melting Pot with the Chiccos for 80's night. It was tons of fun!!


I am training for a 10k. It is an 8 week training program. Max and I are on the 3rd week. I completed a 5 mile run this past Sunday which was the longest distance I've ever run continually. :) I was very excited.

I have lost another 5 lbs. bringing me within 5 lbs. of my goal weight. School has kept me very busy and its been difficult to cook healthy meals during the week. I have been relying on frozen dinners (mainly Amy's) and takeout. I've been doing my best to make healthy choices and have therefore maintained my current weight for months now. When this semester is done I will have 4 weeks before the Spring semester begins. I will take advantage of that time and focus my efforts on ridding myself of the last 5 lbs.

My classes this semester are Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrition, Probabiliy & Statistics, and American History. They are keeping me quite busy.