Review and Contemplation

In a month-and-a-half, it will be two years since we left Oakland for good. The first year was spent traveling cross-country in the U.S. (twice), then to Mexico, the Caribbean, the UK and Europe. I am still grateful for all the experiences in new places and my husband's skillful planning, decision-making, and our good luck for that successful year.

I vividly remember Monument Valley at the Arizona/Utah border and the beautiful sky,

Monument Valley

Monument Valley

 I remember the warm beach at Isla Mujeres, and freezing in Iceland.

Reykjavik

I was influenced by styles and colors in Greece, and Spain.

Mykonos

View from Salvador Dali's house, Cadaques

Joan Miro park in Barcelona

There is so much more and that is documented on our travel blog. I am grateful for the first-hand impressions we have that influence how we design/decorate our house & backyard in Merida. I believe that most people in the world are genuinely helpful and kind, from my experience. 

The second year has been spent mostly in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, with a couple trips back to the U.S. We have had a lot of work done at our house and are both enjoying it (but there is always more to do). It's a small house which is a perfect size for us, in a good location.

I again am grateful for the new friends we made here that make this place feel like a close-knit community. I recently started attending a yoga class with a friend, and am so glad we found Kate, our new yoga teacher, Yoga, circuit-training, prayer, good reading, along with writing, are the practices that continue to sustain me. Mind. Body. Spirit. I hope to add a regular meditation practice too. What practices sustain you?

Learning Spanish has been a challenge for me and I have a long way to go. It is so necessary, and time to make it the priority it deserves.

I am still confident our decision to leave California was right for us. One of my intentions was when we left, and still is, to discover, or create a new livelihood that is soul-giving, instead of soul-draining. I know I have something of value to contribute.This is also the longest break I have ever taken from working. As nice as a sabbatical is, it won't last forever. I am not very entrepreneur-like, so it will take more effort to figure out or find something.

 I don't know how long we will reside in Merida, or if it will become a part-time home if we find a second residence elsewhere that is sustainable. There are more question marks which are continually part of this adventure in life. Have you heard this quote before?

 "I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity." -- Gilda Radner

I know other people who have decided to shake things up in mid-life. It can be a good time because we still have good health and some youthfulness, life experience, and hopefully some wisdom in our favor, but it's not for everyone. I like to think I have learned, and continue to try, to 'trust the process' more, and lessen my grip of (perceived) control and remain open to new ideas and opportunities.

 

These are my thoughts at the moment. I may add more insights and questions along the way as a continuation of this subject. Especially since I am approaching 50, which feels strange, but is worthy of some contemplation too. Like Mary Oliver said in her poem, The Summer Day, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

ejercicios en el agua

My new article is up on The Yucatan Times about pool exercise. If any fitness enthusiasts know of other good pool exercises or info, feel feel to comment.

Here is a short video of bicycle-movement in the water:

clouds

butterfly?

heart

Chia Seeds

Did you know that chia seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition?
They are loaded with omega 3, antioxidants, fiber, and more. Just google it and you'll find tons of info.

I also read that they were originally grown in Mexico, and in Mayan chia means 'strength'.

I occasionally add chia seeds to oatmeal, cereal, eggs, sauces, smoothies, yogurt....you can sprinkle them on almost anything. When you mix the seeds with milk (rice, almond, coconut...) and let it sit in the fridge covered overnight, they turn to a gel texture. I googled recipes and made a chocolate-chia pudding:

6 tbsp of chia seeds
1 cup rice milk
a couple tbsp of honey (or maple syrup)
2 tbsp of cocoa powder
1 tsp of pure vanilla extract


The next day it was thickened and really had a pudding texture. I thought it came out pretty good even though it's not very sweet. You can use more honey, syrup, or sweetener of choice.

Top it with fruit, nuts, or if I had whipped cream, I would put a dollop on it. I topped it with a few pieces of mango, and served it with a mini pain au chocolat for fun.

FYI, these are the articles I read:

 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/07/06/chia-seeds-benefits.aspx

 https://draxe.com/chia-seeds-benefits-side-effects/

Southern CA

We spent a couple of weeks in Southern California taking care of various things and spending time with family. One day we drove to downtown Los Angeles to request an apostille to bring back to Mexico. The drive wasn't bad until we got to the 101 freeway, then the traffic was super slow.

We were going to try and visit someplace like Universal Studios, but the admission is at least $100! (The last attractions I remember are from the 70's like the parting of the Red Sea, the Jaws experience, and the Ice Tunnel) Too expensive, we didn't go.

Los Angeles - freeway

Downtown LA

Downtown LA

Driving by the Wiltern Theater on Wilshire Blvd., I remembered going to a few concerts there, like Peter Murphy, back in 1990.

Downtown LA Wiltern Theater

Lamp post installation at LACMA

Along Wilshire Blvd., we stopped at La Brea Tar Pits which George had never been to. I remember going on a field trip there way back in elementary school (and probably enjoyed it more then).

The La Brea Tar Pits are a group of tar pits around which Hancock Park was formed in urban Los Angeles. Natural asphalt has seeped up from the ground in this area for tens of thousands of years. The tar is often covered with dust, leaves, or water. Wikipedia

La Brea Tar Pits

La Brea Tar Pits

My cousin Corey has an Optometry practice on Pico Blvd. It's a beautiful office with high tech equipment, friendly staff, and he's not only a great eye doctor who loves what he does, but is fluent in Spanish!

Eye exam and visit with my cousin Corey (Hodes Vision Optometry)

So Cal Family Collage

We managed to take care of everything, including selling our car. Now we are in the process of becoming temporary residents, and living in Merida full-time for the time being.

CA Road Trip

Below are more photos from our road trip. We spent time with family in the Bay Area, visited Filoli Gardens, and went for a hike in Elmwood Park.

On our drive back to So Cal, we stopped for views along the Central Coast and the Pacific ocean was a more beautiful shade of blue than I remember. We also stopped for a night in the charming and quiet Dutch town of Solvang, in Santa Ynez Valley.

Me and my amazing sister-in-law

George and the adorable Elmo






















 FILOLI GARDENS

 CENTRAL COAST

SOLVANG

 

Postcard from California

We are in California...taking a break from the Yucatan heat, to celebrate a graduation, visit family,  and tend to other pieces of business.

Amazing niece Katie graduates with honors.

Two of my favorite peeps! (proud Aunt)

Errands in downtown Santa Ana

CA hills on drive to Bay Area

Venetian Carousel in Casa de Fruta, near Gilroy

My latest article was just published in the Yucatan Times (see link on right side).