c a m p e c h e

Happy Spring equinox.

I got to visit Campeche (a UNESCO world heritage site) with my best amigo Mario via motorcycle. It takes about two hours on bike, and two and a half by ADO bus to get there from Merida.

Campeche is the capital in the state of Campeche. There are city walls and forts that used to help protect from pirate raids.

It's a charming city with cobblestone streets and colorful exteriors.  We saw a beautiful video mapping show in the Centro.

Vino on the Malecon

 This trip was more about spending time together at length and and talking about life. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do this as my time of living in the Yucatan is coming to a close. I'm lucky to have made so many special friendships that I will cherish and maintain forever.

Life has a way of pushing you into new directions, and my new theory is that change is usually good, or hard. But if you can be present to experience it, whether you like it or not, maybe it will strengthen you. It can teach you, help you empathize in new ways, create new opportunities, or even give you new material to write about or make art with. Nothing is wasted.

My new pirate friend

Street blocked off for outdoor restaurants and music

 

friendship bracelets

p.s. a little gratitude shout to Jerry and Carlos for the awesome sun protection shirts in memory of Conrad. xo

hash house harriers

Have you ever heard of a group called, "Hash House Harriers"? Me neither, until a friend mentioned it here in Merida awhile back. I finally attended this monthly group in January, and just went again for the second time in February. It's known as, "A drinking club with a running problem."

Apparently it is a worldwide thing and has a history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers

It's a real club with formalities. We met at someone's house, whoever is hosting that month, and our club usually divides in two groups, the walkers or the runners.  We all head out and look for clues in chalk on the ground or on poles, which are arrows and circles and other marks to indicate the trail. The designated people that mark the trail are called 'hares'.

photo from Merida hash group - walking in Centro

The trail leads to a halfway destination where we stop for a beer. (Dues are collected prior so it's taken care of.) Then we follow the trail the rest of the way back to the host's house for more beverages and snacks. There are initiations for new members involving chugging your beer, and later we sing some silly songs. Members get these amusing hash nicknames after you've been there long enough.

 It's not a race and more of a social club. You'd be surprised how many of the older folks here participate especially on the crumbly streets in Centro.  It's unlike anything I've done before but is a fun experience! Who knew?

hearts and ash

Hello and Happy 💖Day and Ash Wednesday.

Merida heated up this week back up to 90.  Otherwise no complaints. Life is good.

Although I just lost my oldest living Aunt this week. She was a stylish woman with a quick wit. She resembled Liz Taylor back when, and considering she was pushing 97... she aged very well and had a good long ride. This photo was the last time I saw her three years ago when we stopped in Baltimore on our road-trip. It happened to be her 93rd birthday! I'm sure I wrote about this on our travel blog.

with Aunt Mildred at age 93!

 This week I tried a new yoga class that is held on the rooftop terrace of Cafe Montejo. It was a slower flow, and had a strong focus on breath which helps you stay present. At the end of class in shivasana, I relaxed a level deeper than usual and the instructor, Alma, said this form of yoga works with the parasympathic nervous system. That was awesome.

Yoga with Alma at Cafe Montejo

Staying active and positive while in this transition phase of life, and it seems to be working.😀

Grace, peace, and love.

today

Merida is having some exceptionally cooler weather lately. This is a good thing even though I have a very limited cooler-weather-wardrobe. So now we are beginning the process of selling our cute casa here which again, is bittersweet. This is the right thing for us to do, but is always a process for me to completely detach. We did this 3+ years ago with the beautiful Victorian house in Oakland. Time to get back to the minimalism ways.

And then there's at least a moment, almost every day, where I just miss my mom. 💔

And now I get to go through a divorce. 

Even though it all kinda sucks, I'm choosing to see it all as my friend Tess would say, "It (life) is happening for you, not to you."

"Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go." Hermann Hesse

Okay time to exercise which is the best thing to shift your mind and mood.
Motion changes Emotion.

five minute motivation

Good morning, I just wanted to mention a new offering from fitness professional Mike Goncalves, who I mentioned in a post last January. He has started these cool five minute podcasts called, 'Mornings with Mike'.
A short little dose of motivation.
http://mikegoncalves.com/podcast/

hello 2018

Hello and Happy New Year.
So glad 2017 is over. I had a mellow NYE, how about you? I attended a Spanish prayer & praise service at my Calvary here, and then went over to see some of my first Merida friends. I got home before 12 when the explosions started!

I was texting with a couple of friends in California from here in 2018 waiting for them, while they were still in 2017. It was amusing.

It happens to be overcast, breezy, and cool here in Merida today. I got myself a fitbit for Christmas and it just beeped at me to get up and take it for a walk. I'm surprised it's easier to get in 10,000 steps a day than I thought. Well at least most days.

 I have some new exciting goals like beginning an intensive course to become a personal trainer and finally launch myself into the fitness industry! I believe this will be a better year heading in a new direction on my own, while remaining open to opportunities and adventures along the way. 

I hope you are doing something healthy and positive too.
Move your body, read inspiring things, and remember to take a deep breath once in a while. And like an old co-worker used to say, take your vitamins and say your prayers. 😉

the way will appear

T

my little art

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and may you enjoy time spent with those you choose to be around. I have been spending a lot of time with friends, and thinking about what's ahead.

Aside from the loss of my mother, I've been thinking about what I wanted to say about how things don't always turn out like you think.

Three years ago we left California for our mid-life-travel-sabbatical, which is an experience I would never trade. Then living in Merida, Mexico, extended the sabbatical for two more years.

Throwing yourself into a full-time situation with your spouse is an adjustment. Then living together in an environment like 'retirement' when you are not at that stage of life is another adjustment.This has taken its toll, and our relationship did not survive. Maybe these circumstances accelerated the inevitable...who knows. Not all relationships are forever, and marriage is not for everyone. But I trust it's for the best, and things will ultimately work out well.

This chapter in Merida will be changing next year. I will not be staying once things finalize. However, I will return to visit because I have too many friends here who have become like family to me.

"As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears." ~Rumi 

The loose plan is to head back to CA for awhile and start an obvious new career direction. I am continuing to access the newfound strength to redesign myself once again. I don't expect it to be easy, but I'm not afraid either. You never know what opportunities will arise once you start a new path.

Even though I don't know how life will even look like going forward on my own, I believe if you stay true to what is most important to your being, and keep the faith, you will make good decisions. And hopefully enjoy your journey while living into the most authentic version of yourself. And that my friends, is what maturity feels like for me.

Best wishes to everyone on their individual path head. May 2018 be a magical year.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On a different note, the lovely Adriene has a new 30 day yoga challenge in January.
http://yogawithadriene.com/true/

I just learned of a new book by Cheryl Richardson, which was inspired by the style/journals of May Sarton, whose famous work was, "Journal of a Solitude" which I read years ago. A genre I love.
http://www.cherylrichardson.com/waking-up-in-winter/

*I share this freely - there are no earnings*

Pick your poison

Monday night I went to hear a talk given by my friend Martine. She did a presentation on the health concerns about Glyphosate. Of course I'd heard of this but didn't know much about it. Boy was I in for an awakening! This crash course provided a lot of information with sited statistics and studies. In case you haven't learned much about this situation yet either....here is an overview.

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant. It is an organophosphorus compound, specifically a phosphonate. It is used to kill weeds, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses that compete with crops. (wikipedia)

Roundup is a herbicide produced by Monsanto, applied to GMO and Non-GMO crops. It's main active ingredient is Glyphosate.

Monsanto Company is a publicly traded American multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation. A leading producer of genetically engineered seed and Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide. (wikipedia)

Basically the Roundup used in agriculture is pretty deep in our food supply, soil (even in water and air) and linked to many disorders and diseases affecting thyroid, kidneys, sleep, obesity, dementia, autism ADHD, anxiety, endocrine disruptor, kills good gut bacteria, leaky gut, auto-immune disease, even damaging DNA, and more. The effects accumulate over time and most studies are too short to detect damage.

There is a class action lawsuit filed in Alameda County against Monsanto by people who developed Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma caused by exposure to Roundup weed killer. And apparently the EPA failed to protect us and the the environment.

Glyphosate touches almost everything, but some of the foods and items suggesting the most contamination include;
soy, corn, cotton, canola, sugar beets=sugar, papaya, zucchini, tobacco, oats, wheat, peas, lentils, potatoes, buckwheat, dairy ... as well as processed foods including cereal.

It was suggested to eat more probiotic rich foods to strengthen your good gut bacteria. Kefir, kombucha, fermented vegetables, sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, even sourdough bread is a good choice. And buy organic when you can because if there are chemicals used.... it usually has 'less' than non-organic.

It's a massive subject and this is just a tiny bit of info from my notes.
Some of the Doctors names mentioned were: Dr. Stephanie Seneff, Dr. Don Huber, Dr. Anthony Samsel, and Tony Mitra.
If you google these names or words you will find articles and youtube videos galore.

What I did this summer

Many times I attempted to write on 'What I did This Summer' like an essay from elementary school, and I kept getting stuck. The months flew by, and then life happened.

Back in July, I was all set to try and start a business with doTERRA essential oils, alongside my part-time job at Sprouts Farmer's Market, where I mostly working the early morning shift.

I was reconnecting with some old friends I've know since high school and visiting relatives I don't see often.

Then my mom had a stroke. She was conscious when admitted to the hospital, and later sedated for the next three weeks in ICU as we made hospital visits nearly every day. The stroke caused brain seizures that would not cease. She did not survive. I never imagined I would lose my mom during this extended visit and I will miss her for the rest of my life.

Now I have returned to Merida and I look forward to catching up with friends here. However, there are other challenges and uncertainties ahead. Or perhaps new adventures.

Sometimes there are things you think you could never survive, and then they happen and you find some unknown strength to keep going. It's strange and I have no idea how my life will look a year from now, but somehow I can live through each day and make the most of it. (Actually it's spiritual strength because I believe in God, and a lot of people have been praying.)

You've most likely heard the quotes - 'Life is short,' 'They days go slow but the years go fast.' Each day I am trying to make the best choices of how to use my time, what I think about and give energy to. Try to stay present, and with awareness, catching the negative or fearful stories and change them to something more positive and productive. (Yoga is an amazing tool!)

As Annie Dillard in her book 'The Writing Life' says, “How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives."

p.s.
I have barely learned and used the essential oils all this time, but there is one thing I had results with so far; using peppermint oil to quickly cure a headache. I applied a dab from the roller bottle oil to each side temple and viola! Headache gone! Give it a try.

p.p.s. While in CA, I had the opportunity to meet the lovely Amy Logan (who is my essential oils mentor, and friend) You can visit her adventures at:  https://www.amyloganlife.com/

back in Cali

Hello from southern California (away from the Yucatan summer heat).

I have been enjoying time with family, and reconnecting with long-time friends. Keeping in touch with my peeps in Mexico is easy via whatsapp and messenger.

As a health and wellness enthusiast, I have been looking to find new opportunities to begin new career directions in that realm.

One direction is working part-time at a natural grocery market. This is a completely different industry for me. There is always something to do, all kinds of things to learn, and plenty of new people to meet! So far so good.

I will share more on the second direction in my next post!

Hope you are enjoying your summer, and spending time with your loved ones. xo

Wonder Woman

A couple weeks ago I saw a lot of hype on Instagram about the new Wonder Woman movie, even from Oprah. So yesterday my friend Judy and I went to the matinee and saw Wonder Woman. What a bargain at 51 pesos/under $3 US! I only knew the old series with Linda Carter back in the day and that Diana was from Paradise Island, so it was interesting to learn more about her story. I liked the compassion she felt towards those suffering and her desire to help them. She reached deep within to grab hold of her strength/power to use for good which all superheroes do, I know. I don't get into all the over- the-top action hoopla and explosions, but it also reminded me more of Xena type women fighters.

The beautiful actresss and model, Gal Gadot, was born and raised in Israel. After winning a Miss Israel beauty pageant in 2004, she later served two years as a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces.

It's always nice to see strong women, do-gooders portrayed, who can also inspire the rest of us.

I loved her last line -possible spoiler alert in case you haven't seen it -
"Diana Prince: I used to want to save the world. To end war and bring peace to mankind. But then, I glimpsed the darkness that lives within their light. I learned that inside every one of them, there will always be both. The choice each must make for themselves - something no hero will ever defeat. And now I know... that only love can truly save the world. So I stay. I fight, and I give... for the world I know can be. This is my mission now. Forever."
(source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0451279/quotes?item=qt3448222)


(from Warner Bros on youtube)


p.s. I think Adriene Mishler (from Yoga with Adriene) looks a lot like her?!

Viernes

Here we are mid-June already.

Rainy season is making appearances here in Merida. Yesterday afternoon gray clouds covered the sky and the heavens thundered, forecasting a steady rain ahead.

I am finding an exciting direction for a side-hustle in the realm of wellness and holistic healing. Stay tuned.

This weekend Amir Tsarfati is speaking at Calvary Centro. He is from Jerusalem and is a Jewish Believer who informs about current events in the Middle East, alongside biblical prophecy. This should be very interesting! You can learn more about him here - http://beholdisrael.org/

An interesting article on BBC about managing your focus:
 why-you-should-manage-your-energy-not-your-time

Have a nice weekend.

approaching summer

You might think not working is a dream....
and for a season it can be!

However, I am antsy and really want to work (& earn) again
but it's a challenge in another country...
especially if you are not fluent in the language,
and do not want to teach English.
I find the best option is to be an entrepreneur with
an online business, and/or freelancer.
(Digital nomads are everywhere now.)



At this time in my life, it is essential to do something I care about,
and that would help others in positive and healthy ways.

 There are companies out there I could align with,
 and work for in some capacity. I've already started reaching out
to inspiring people in those realms.

The hot weather in Merida adds motivation.
I have decided to go back to CA for the summer..
To get some temp/p-t work in areas related to health & fitness
while exploring online-based opportunities.
I like the term 'side-hustle' and could use a couple of those for variety!

Pitaya is back!

Spending time with family and friends is another reason.


What are you planning to do this summer? 

As Annie Dillard said,
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

art and tacos

I went on a fun little outing with my friend Linda to visit the Lux Perpetua Art Centre Gallery.

Tacos at Wayan'e

We also wanted to try this popular Taco Stand, 'Wayan'e' which is across the street from the gallery.The taco's were great! I had one with chaya con huevo, the second was pollo poblano. The horchata was a little too sweet for my liking, but it's a great taco stand and we'd both go back.

The artist Amador Montes was the only artist installation in the gallery for this exhibit. Having just been exposed to him, we both loved his style. It's sort of contemporary, collage-y works.  The docent spoke some English and was able to answer our questions. The artist is relatively young (early 40's), and on some of his paintings was a stamped name 'Carmen' which we learned is his mother's name.

Linda and me in front of an Amador Montes painting

From the information sheet, I learned - Amador Montes (1975) is a painter, ceramist, printmaker, and sculptor from the state of Oaxaca. "He's been able to merge his contemporary work with the ancestral, nostalgia with modernity, magic with reality, thus entrapping viewers in the delight of expanding time and space".... He spent time in South Korea and has participated in over 30 individual exhibitions and a similar number of collective shows. Below are some photos of his pieces I liked, these have feminine quality to them which I like. He has painted a range of subjects though.

insomnia + books

 

Insomnia - habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep. I've had it on and off over many years. It always comes and goes which makes me grateful when I sleep through the night. I attribute it to age, menopause, sometimes wine, or oversized worries in the middle of the night.

It's staying asleep that is my problem which is called 'middle insomnia'. Sometimes I will glance at the time - 12:00 or 1:00, but this week it's 2:30 or 3:30 and I am awake. I've tried a number of natural remedies and occasionally take melatonin. Maybe it helps. I am never sure.

So I've been catching up on some reading. So I thought I'd share the books I'm reading at those ungodly hours!
I tend to wait and get bargain deals on kindle books, and mostly non-fiction.

 
I just finished "Life's Golden Ticket: A Story About Second Chances" by Brendon Burchard. It's an inspirational parable. (I think it is available for free, in PDF, if you google it.)

"At Home in the World, Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe" by Tsh Oxenrider
(pronounced Tish) and her husband who are seasoned travelers and have lived abroad, took their three kids traveling to various countries for nine months. I'm enjoying this book but am only a few chapters in -where their next stop is Singapore.

"Present over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living" by Shauna Niequist. I have read most of her books and love her stories, and writing style.

"Do Your Om Thing: Bending Yoga Tradition to Fit Your Modern Life" by Rebecca Pacheco

A few newer books I recently heard about that I want to read (but have to wait until they come down in price) are:

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy - by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant. (I listed to a podcast interview from 'On Being')

The Rules Do Not Apply: A Memoir - by Ariel Levy (I saw this book on a post from Sarah Jessica Parker on instagram!)

Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy - by Anne Lamott

Hourglass: Time, Memory, Marriage - by Dani Shapiro

Eat This Poem: A Literary Feast of Recipes Inspired by Poetry - by Nicole Gulotta

And this one sits on my wishlist:
M Train - by Patti Smith

This is only a small sampling because I have a book problem addiction fondness.
Please let me know if you have any tips to help with 'middle insomnia', or other book recommendations I should know about!


Sleep Well.

a poem

In honor of poetry month, I am sharing a poem by Naomi Shihab Nye.

Valentine for Ernest Mann

You can't order a poem like you order a taco.
Walk up to the counter, say, "I'll take two"
and expect it to be handed back to you
on a shiny plate.

Still, I like your spirit.
Anyone who says, "Here's my address,
write me a poem," deserves something in reply.
So I'll tell a secret instead:
poems hide. In the bottoms of our shoes,
they are sleeping. They are the shadows
drifting across our ceilings the moment
before we wake up. What we have to do
is live in a way that lets us find them.

Once I knew a man who gave his wife
two skunks for a valentine.
He couldn't understand why she was crying.
"I thought they had such beautiful eyes."
And he was serious. He was a serious man
who lived in a serious way. Nothing was ugly
just because the world said so. He really
liked those skunks. So, he re-invented them
as valentines and they became beautiful.
At least, to him. And the poems that had been hiding
in the eyes of skunks for centuries
crawled out and curled up at his feet.

Maybe if we re-invent whatever our lives give us
we find poems. Check your garage, the off sock
in your drawer, the person you almost like, but not quite.
And let me know. 

-Naomi Shihab Nye

new article

I have new article on The Yucatan Times today -
http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2017/04/congregation-in-santiago-offers-english-services/

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

Learning pinterest

Light show at Plaza Grande

Recently I have been reacquainting myself with pinterest.

I know..... it's been around for awhile and MANY people use it, but I never really got on the pinterest-train until this week. During a conversation with Mario (my Merida hermano) about social media, he was telling me how he likes and uses it for ideas for recipes, design, and so much more.

After that I decided to dig out my old login and give it a whirl. It's pretty much an endless supply of information and ideas. It can be a bit overwhelming, but is certainly a great resource.

 Nevertheless, while a little exploring I was delighted to find an interesting travel blogger who currently lives in Mexico City, and a recipe for Mexican Zucchini Burrito Boats which is on the menu for dinner! (The dish was good, but the actual recipe photo looks better than mine does below.)

If any pinterest enthusiasts have tips, favorite finds, or suggestions for a newbie..... please let me know.

Chili Peppers

I attended a big literary event (FILEY) with some writer friends this week, and on the way back we had a conversation about chili peppers. My spicy-heat tolerance is mild-to-medium. They were telling me different health benefits of peppers and you can build your tolerance. That sounded like something I could learn more about and experiment with, especially while living in Mexico. (Thanks Martine!)

So I bought three peppers at the produce market today: I can't remember the name of the yellow one.

I started googling about peppers: health benefits, different kinds, how to cook with them, etc. So far the tips I've read are that it's recommended to wear some disposable gloves when cutting the peppers and removing seeds and membrane. And if you burn your mouth to avoid water and use dairy - drink milk, have some yogurt, or even ice cream.

Chili peppers contain the molecular compound capsaicin which apparently aids in weight loss and fighting cancer.

Some health benefits include:

Increase circulation
Contains lots of vitamin C
Help lower bad cholesterol
Help improve digestion
Help lose weight
Help lower blood pressure
Help fight inflammation

 I plan to make some vegetarian chili and chop up Serrano, or maybe a a bit of all three, and add just a bit. I now the Poblano peppers are commonly roasted, and can be stuffed. I have to start out slow! Any suggestions or recipes are welcome.


I found this site to be interesting and helpful; http://www.chilipeppermadness.com/
Dr. Axe has an article about capsaican here: https://draxe.com/capsaicin/
 

g r a t i t u d e

Attention to gratitude might be a trendy thing, but I just finished reading, 'The Gratitude Diaries, How A Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life' by Janice Kaplan. I enjoyed her stories, studies, and interviews about the positive affect gratitude can make in your health, attitude, and life, as well as influence on others. It's a year-long project exploring and practicing gratitude.

I've tried gratitude practices in the past like noting one-to-three specific things from the day to be grateful for in a journal, and another time via email with a friend.

What I like about this book is how she made gratitude a lifestyle by daily actions. It can be retraining yourself to pay attention, notice and acknowledge the good, the blessings.  And learning to re-frame your responses when life hands you challenging or frustrating situations.

Clever planter!

I also like how she began the year by noticing and appreciating her husband each day. By stopping to appreciate things he did, and not taking anything for granted had a very positive influence on their marriage. Counselors confirmed practicing gratitude strengthened neural circuits for love and connection, like fitness strengthens your body. (note to self: good place to start.)

Of course it's easier to be grateful for nice people, good circumstances, favorable conditions.... but she also has examples of people going through loss and hardship, and how they still choose to be positive, and make the most of their lives.

 Being an impetus of appreciation and kindness, and helping others goes a long way. It is very reciprocal, usually you feel better in return, and those touched by gratitude tend to be pay-it-forward. Gratitude is an action.

Así es la vida.