Time2

So here we are, January 17th! Its Friday and whilst, as always there is much to do at work I am excited for the weekend.

17 days into 2014 and I have:

• Tried out two classes at Baths' new Yoga studio
• Been to a spa afternoon with Emma and then a spa members party both at my favourite: Bath Spa Hotel
• Back to Crossfit
• Ran 6 miles, with 8 planned for tomorrow
• Bought Tickets for a Venetian Ball at the Assembly rooms
• Been for tea and cake with lovely Eleni (who is currently unwell, feel better soon!)
• Redesigned my CV and applied for 5 new jobs
• Arranged a coffee date (will report back)

This time last year I lamented on the issues with time that I'm sure we all struggle with, not enough of it, or not enough doing the things we really want. Its a daily struggle for, it really is, to make the most of my days when all I often feel like doing is crawling under a duvet and never resurfacing.

But trying is a good start yes?

XXX

Snap!

Darlings a quick but fabulous update to Goal 51. Enter of photography competition

I have just been shortlisted! I can't believe it, and am so excited! My photo will feature in the April edition of National Geographic Traveller Magazine. How amazing that a little goal could potentially end up with me going here (thats the grand prize :))

Here's to goals, and the wonderful places they can take you!

XXX

Single Sunday

Good morning chaps + chapettes, 

I'm sat in my comfy chair in my PJ's with a nice cup of coffee after a nice long sunday lie in, perfectly content in my own company but looking forward to a coffee with a pal at 4pm. Anways I came across this very interesting article on being alone that might ring some small bells of familiarity with us singletons.

Some interesting old arguments seem to arise whenever this topic comes up, and certainly arise in the article:

Its sad - Interesting one this, thing is, lots of situations are sad; a person living alone may be sad and lonely, but they also might be perfectly happy with their social life and lovely home. Or it can often be a mix of the two - sometimes I do feel a little lonely on my own but the thing is, in todays modern society - within 30 seconds of experiencing this I can be on my way for coffee or on the phone with someone who cares about me. I could also list a multitude of other 'sad' scenarios that have nothing to do with being alone: A wife stuck in the house because her bully partner doesn't like her seeing her friends, a mother with 3 screaming kids and no help, living in a house with housemates who don't like you and exclude you. Life is full of ups and downs and we may sometimes find ourselves in situations we find less than ideal - all one can really do is find the best option available to ones self to get out of that situation, and I might propose that luckily for us: being alone is one of the easiest to alter should we so wish - if I want to go travelling tomorrow, or see my friends, or visit my family, or sleep, or study, or stay exactly as I am, I can do all of these things in a heartbeat. 
Verdict: less sad than many other situations I can think of, and easily remedied if so desired.

"Solitude is unnatural. Homo sapiens is genetically and evolutionarily a herd or pack animal."
Oh they love to cart this one out! evolutionarily we used to hunt our prey, eat only fresh food and die at 30, and lived in groups to offer greater protection from dangerous beasts. We've moved on, this argument is just no longer relevant. 
Verdict: Irrelevant

You're selfish
This one is perhaps the hardest to understand. Similarly to 'it's sad' I can think of many more selfish actions which are far more severe: murder for example, theft, fraud, bullying, lying, cruelty. Not a single person is suffering because I want to live alone, hence I would venture that this one is straight up wrong.
Verdict: Incorrect

Overall verdict: Jeez, what's the fuss man, its not like i'm killing puppies here. Just enjoying my own company.

Happy Sunday all, whoever you're spending it with!

XXX

2014

This time last year I posted This some quotes to live by or ponder for the new year ahead. 

• I've kissed many people who think I'm wonderful - my friends, and thats fine by me
• Dream dangerously and outrageously - not only dreamed but lived some amazing ones! the Amazon, running the Tough Mudder, I've done things beyond anything I thought I could ever do before.
• Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes: well, I've made a fair few mistakes but I feel more on track to the life I really want which is great.

I have chosen two lovely quote/picture combos this year to think on as I embark on 2014

xxx

Christmas Catch-up

Darlings,
Its been a while! and I intend to be somewhat Internet free over the holidays so I better bring you up to speed now hadn't I!

2013

• The Amazon- Just amazing, we did so much; saw amazing wildlife and met tribes, swam in the river, went piranha fishing, trekked in the Jungle and lazed on our wonderful river boat. I've recommended it to everyone whose asked. it was a really well organised trip and would definitely travel with GAdeventures again.
• Festive Parties - My festive Tea party was a success; cocktails and food abound, and I have the Crossfit christmas party to look forward to :)
• Yoga Teacher Training - now on my 4th unit, I admit the festive period has seen a lull from me as so much is happening. but I'm due various yoga based gifts for xmas to get me ready and raring for learning in the New Year
• Running - I ran an extreme coast trail in Dorset last Saturday with Endurance Life, it was soooo tough, but I am very proud for doing it!
• 2014 Travel plans - The wishlist is as follows: Japan, Lake District, Boston, Manchester, Edinburgh

Goals I want to focus on in 2014:

12. Own a Property - Continuing to save with this end goal in mind
18. Get a job working with animals - specifically, I think its time to leave my current job
22.Weigh 9.7 Stone - Now my fitness is really been turned up a gear I'm hoping some attention to my eating habits will help me get a nice level of happiness with my body
34. Buy furniture from Rossiters - I have been jonesing for a lovely coffee table and bookshelf for some time. January sales may be the time to treat myself!
42.Visit Edinburgh  - planned for Jan/Feb 2014
43.Visit Japan - Planned for Oct 2014
48. To not buy any clothes for 1 year (01/01/14 to 01/01/15) - The Dates of this one change each year but its one I like to keep trying with - because I have a wardrobe overflowing with clothes, a great clothes swap club, and a unhelpful attitude that the right dress will make me a better person.
53. Do a teaching course via the Yoga alliance and teach Yoga - well underway
56. Explore China. Esp. Shanghai and Macau - this one is just a possible, as I could tack it on to the Japan trip

 

XXX

Adiós!

Dearest Blog,

I'm leaving you for a fortnight for a full blown, honest to god, ADVENTURE. 2 weeks, The Amazon Rainforest, The River, Lima, Iquitos, and a sprinkling of Miami on the way home.

In addition, whilst I'm delighted about leaving England for this adventure I also have much to look forward to on my return - namely a potential job teaching yoga! its all just in the pipeline right now (sigh, I've said that before but one must be positive!) Oh my god, am I actually going to train for something and then work in that field?! That'll be a first!

I feel very pleased, honoured, and driven to make this happen - a few months ago I had a goal , started the process to make it happen and learn, and hopefully in 2014 I'll see that goal fully realised.

How exciting!  I'm taking comfort in my achievements this year that I previously thought impossible. This is very helpful when I am trying to master Firefly pose or Peacock, and the terror in my heart at the idea of teaching a room full of people........cos right now it seems impossible :p ! (I'll save my trials and tribulations with advanced postures for another day)

XXX

Ommmmmm

Morning Lovelies!

Finally getting round to a lil' review of the Om Yoga Show. As you know I'm training to be a yoga teacher so it seemed like a sensible idea to explore a bit deeper into the yoga community as well as enjoy a bit of shopping and try a range of cool classes.

Me and Sarah headed to London on the Friday 25th:

The class schedule was amazing - once you paid £8-£12 admission there were so many open classes that were free, there were four big areas with every kind of yoga/massage/dance/meditation you could imagine. Me and Sarah were spoilt for choice! we wanted to try out lot of new things so we settled on:

Learn Thai massage - This was really interesting, Sarah and I worked in a pair and learnt some great stretches for hips, back and shoulders.
Shakti Dancing - Because it was too bonkers not to! and actually it was pretty fun and a nice way to loosen our tired crossfit joints.
Aerial yoga - Really cool, really fun, but not easy! you can buy the rigs to put up in your home, tho I fear I would just use it as another place to nap....
Vinyasa Flow - One of my favourite styles of yoga - the teacher was pretty good although it was quite an intensive class despite being classed 'for all levels' Sarah kept up admirably as a newbie yogini!

There were also 100+ stalls selling all the yoga goodies you could ever need: clothing, matts, books, jewellery, vegan food, herbs and lots of stalls for retreats and workshops.

It was a long day fitting everything in, next year I would love to go for 2 days because there is so much on offer and so many cool classes to do.

So here are some fun snaps of our day :)

 

XXX