Wednesday, January 25, 2017

...and Writing Enthusiast


Writing is another strong area I have. Again, not a surprise. Writing and exercise are things I love and always do anyway. It is another area to explore further. I hesitate to pursue some other strong interests in a work-way because I feel it could take the joy away. For example, art. I love to play with my paints and collage, but not with  pressure to sell, and not do it all the time. Does anyone else feel that way about making a hobby or talent into a business?

I may have mentioned that I volunteered to take over the International Women's Club newsletter. It involves writing, some creativity, and learning a new skill (all pluses in my book). My first newsletter begins this month so I'll see how it goes.
I can still contribute articles to The Yucatan Times, but have not sent any new installments lately.

Plaza Grande in Centro
Another project  in the moodling stage, is a collaboration with friends Mario, and Selena. It's too early to define but it involves three different voices/perspectives - a Canadian, a Yucateccan, and an American.

I'm just open to trying some new things related to writing that sound fun and different. Maybe a creative way to generate some income as a writer will appear. You never know.


Some things I love about writing: 
⇢A smooth pen and a blank page
The beginning of an idea for a story, poem, or experience
⇢Sharing information, inspiring people I discover, and recommendations that add value for others
⇢A poetic word or line that appears before my eyes
⇢Relating to one-another
⇢My preferred means of expression, and communication- I am not as eloquent a speaker

and always, reading the inspiring words and stories of other writers.


...and now for a spontaneous haiku:

Creative Writing
You are a joy and a pain
But how I love thee

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Fitness Enthusiast

Trying the Technogym at Milan World Expo
In my last post I mentioned Live Your Legend, and have been digging deep to figure out what to pursue to get back to work. I like the idea of having variety - doing a few different things. One area is to involve fitness. I have been a fitness enthusiast since high school, hello that's over 30 years now. (I even exercised during the years I was a smoker. Contradictory, I know, but I quit almost 16 years ago.)

Exercise is simply a non-negotiable part of my lifestyle, for the following reasons:
     a) my mind - totally clears my head and improves my attitude
     b) the results - toned muscles, more strength, better endurance, and reduces stress, + more
     c) I just don't feel right if I haven't moved my bod enough

There are reasons and excuses why I didn't pursue becoming a fitness professional decades sooner, but I believe timing is everything.
Floor space for yoga at our stay in Boston, MA

During our travel-sabbatical-year, I found ways to get in some exercise as often as possible. For me,  yoga most beneficial in the morning because it smooths out the kinks and the stretches loosen me up for the day. Of course the practice also helps your mind stay present, and notice your breath. 'Marry the breath to the movement, and the movement to the breath.' Most mornings I was able to access yoga videos with wi-fi, on my phone.
(I also took classes at yoga studios in Austin TX, Playa del Carmen, MX. and Dublin, Ireland.)

Of course the majority of our exercise came from walking every day, especially while schlepping the weight of our backpacks. We also got to do some hiking and biking.

Hitting the road again, Warrington England

Biking along Danube in Vienna

Walking through the Badlands, South Dakota


Our bike tour in Valencia, Spain
 
George at the top of our hike to Holyrood Park, Edinburgh Scotland

On occasion we had access to a gym, or a small exercise room at places we stayed. There were instances where I used outdoor space and do some circuit/body-weight -training. We also happened upon parks in various cities with simple exercise equipment.
Park Exercise Equipment in Valladolid, MX

Group Tae Bo Class in Merida, MX (fortunately I could follow in a class
without understanding much of the language)


I vividly remember Padua, Italy. The hotel we stayed at had a rooftop deck space where I did circuit drills. It was around that time that an online-acquaintance, Dorene (she and her husband also changed their lives to embrace a travel lifestyle) posted some exercise circuits she received from her friend Mike Goncalves. He is a fitness professional and runs a business, The Wellness Bucket. I copied down the different circuits and tried them out - simple and effective to do anywhere for sure! Check it out. Later, when we stayed with my folks back in California, I had my Jillian Michael's dvd's to use.

(Just a picture from Padua, Italy since I mentioned it)

As much as I like exercise, I've never been one to spend hours upon hours at the gym, 60-75 minutes max. What I like about the Jillian workouts, and other circuit workouts, is that they typically range from 20 to 45 minutes depending how many sets you do, and are effective but challenging. I like that no-nonsense, let's-get-this-done, approach.

Typically I do, 30-ish minutes of yoga in the morning, some walking...... and in the afternoon or evening a circuit workout with cardio and weights, again 20-40 minutes.

Now, settled in Merida for a year already... I want to explore ways to pursue fitness, to encourage and help others move their body a little more, and personally experience the benefits exercise adds to your quality of life, or at least your day.

Spotted this red bike message, Warrington, England




Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Hello 2017

Feliz Año Nuevo.

This year-end was quiet as we did not attend holiday festivities.

We were dog-sitting our favorite Holly and didn't want to leave her alone. She's so sweet (for a Bull-Terrier).


Holly loves her Uncle George
 NYE was spent with a small gathering with good friends, delicious food, interesting stories, an abundance of wine, views of fireworks, and Chinese lanterns floating across the sky from a rooftop deck. Complete with a champagne toast at the new year.


On NY day afternoon, we attended a bullfight. We had never been to one and it sounded like something different to experience, and boy was it. Well, the best part was seeing with our friends Jim & Jackie. I don't know what I expected of this cultural spectacle. The matador in his colorful garb rides the fancy horse, doing a little dance trot. Then the bull enters. I will only say that watching the bull with those lance hook things stuck in his back and blood running down the sides was an image I still see. After the first round we left. I couldn't sit through more of the same. So that was my first and last bullfight.



Moving on.

I am enjoying Adriene's Yoga Revolution program. In addition, I happened upon another yoga challenge with Wanderlust TV - it's a 21 day challenge with Schuyler Grant, and this program goes into detail on every pose we learn, creating a solid foundation to sustain a lifetime practice. Let me just say, Day 1- 'shoulder floss'. Love it! For me, this is a great instructional supplement, and perspective from a different teacher.


I am also using this awesome resource to figure out what I am going to do/pursue this year.
Live you Legend This Bay Area company has been around for a while, started by Scott Dinsmore. Sadly, at an all too young age, he was killed in an accident climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and now his brave wife Chelsea is keeping it running. It's a global community as well.

Last night we watched President Obama's farewell speech. Well done Mr. President and you will be missed. I have no idea what the future holds, but I know who holds the future 😊  So we do the best we can, and make the most of each day.




p.s. Did you know that Mérida won the Cultural Capital of the Americas for 2017? Apparently it's Mérida's second time, the first was in 2000.