MIMM: Slacking, but for all the right reasons

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've basically fallen out of all typical routines this month. 2014 appears to be the year of change, which I desperately needed in more areas than one. I don't want to elaborate because a lot of things are indefinite and I don't want to jinx anything. I'm superstitious like that.

Just know that for now - anticipatory anxiety aside - things are marvelous.

I've had a few enviable adventures this last week, if I do say so myself. Thursday night I finally made it to Raffa Yoga in Cranston, RI for antigravity yoga. I wasn't sure what it would be like or if I'd be able to catch on, but it was SO much fun.

The harnesses are these giant white sheets that you wrap yourself up and they can apparently hold up to 3000lbs. We had the opportunity to try some pretty advanced poses and inversions like Vampire.

Photo credit. Obviously this isn't me.

I really loved it. The instructor actually approached me after the class and asked if I had done antigravity yoga before because I was so good at it and fearless about the inversions. Go figure. It wasn't so much of a workout to me, but it was definitely relaxing and a stress reliever. Ideally, I'd love to get to a class once a month. Well worth the $16 drop-in fee.

From new experiences to familiar settings, my friends suggested we go out to Toby Keith's I Love This Bar in Foxboro. I had gone twice with my co-workers when I was a caseworker at Key, well before I developed a taste for country music, and I had a blast back then so I had high expectations going back. I have to say, it makes a huge difference when you can sing along to the cover band. 

More marvelous tidbits include a return visit to Justine's for a late-night mid-week drink and an announcement from my yoga instructor that there will be a second hot yoga class added into the rotation in the Spring! (Screw you, Punxsutawney Phil and your stupid Groundhog inner circle for "seeing your shadow" and cursing us with 6 more weeks of winter).

Linking up to the wonderful Healthy Diva for some more positivity and marvelousness. Thanks, as always, Katie!

MIMM: Marvelousness thus far in 2014

Well, it's the end of another weekend and the return to five day work weeks from now until May (!!!) I am definitely in need of some positive vibes here, so I'm happily linking up to Katie's Marvelous in my Monday.

This week, I'm focusing on the progression of marvelousness so far in the new year:

I kicked off 2014 by MCing a bowling alley New Year's Eve event. At first it was awkward and I had no idea what I was supposed to do, but I just went with it and created my own agenda. It ended up being a blast. The more people drank, the funnier it got...although I was concerned about potential injuries from intoxicated bowling accidents. Fear not, no such mishaps occurred on my watch. Definitely an atypical New Year's Eve.

New Year's Day was spent doing not much of anything other than venturing to the nearest theater to see Anchorman 2 with my family. As a huge fan of the original Anchorman and Will Ferrel in general, I was very hesitant of this sequel. I just didn't think it could/should be done, but those promos convinced me otherwise. And the movie itself did not disappoint in terms of hilarity. Originality was lacking since it was essentially the same exact movie as Anchorman, but I can't even care. There were so many ridiculous quotable lines. This Cinema Blend article sums up some of the best lines. Well done, Will Ferrel and crew.

I caught up on all the episodes of Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (sadly) and had just enough time with the snowstorm to start a few new Netflix marathons before the return of regular programming after the holiday hiatus.

I'd seen a smattering of episodes of Portlandia, but I marathonned season 3 over this weekend. This show is essentially a higher budget Tim & Eric Awesome Show with a female main cast member. If you like awkward humor, please watch this now.

I also randomly started watching Parks and Recreation and find myself hooked. I didn't like it when I first attempted to get into this show, but I guess I was just in the right mindset today and have officially been sucked in.

On a final note, this Sunday marked the long-awaited return of Downtown Abbey! Why do I love this show? I have no idea. But I'm glad it's back, with all it's random drama and British accents. What can I say, I'm easily entertained.

Other marvelousness in my Monday includes hot yoga (my favorite) and the warmest day of the week according to the extended forecast. Let's pretend it's not raining, or that tomorrow's anticipated high is 17 °F :)

See ya, 2013. It's been real.

As 2013 comes to an end, the most prominent thought in my mind is not how great of a year it's been or how much I'm looking forward to the new year. Instead I find myself thinking about how long it will take me to get used to writing 2014 rather than 2013. I'm giving it until at least March. And I'm being generous.

Just kidding, sort of.

2013 was a great year overall. It had its rough patches, but compared to the tragedies and hardships from 2010-2012, I'll take it. 2013 was the year of yoga,

coming to terms with myself, hard work towards personal goals and my job (the latter is not necessarily by choice), crazy happenstances, and stepping out of my comfort zone.

I met new people (some of which my life would have been better without, but that is all a part of my theory of balance), made some personal changes, became addicted to Candy Crush,

Why?!?!! Fucking Candy Crush.

and took chances I never imagined myself taking five years ago. Like randomly sending out an email to a trivia company and getting hired. This is the same girl that wore black sweatshirts regardless of weather and hid behind her hair in high school, didn't party in college, and is still to this day the most chronic mumbler on the planet. And I love my late nights, starting random conversations with whoever seems interesting, and talking loud and clear - so I hope - into a microphone. Go figure.

I've considered making a few New Year's resolutions for 2014, but all that comes to mind are the typical exercise more, eat healthier, and drink less that all American women seem to begrudgingly vow to adhere to every January. Honestly, I don't think it's healthy for me to make a solid resolution because of my tendency to become obsessed with these little goals, viewing them as challenges and taking them too far. If I'm trying to make progress with gaining weight, reducing anxiety, and learning to go with the flow of things, my 2014 resolutions will need to reflect that.

My 2014 Resolutions:

1. Live in the moment and appreciate it for what it is.

2. Yoga, on and off the mat. Yes, that may sound cryptic, but it makes sense to me. Yoga is not just a form of exercise, it is a state of mind.

3. Embrace social opportunities.

4. Write. Whether it's blogging, creative writing for my personal enjoyment, or finally getting a job that allows me to use this skill (fingers crossed).

5. Do what makes me happy. I've found that I'm a much more pleasant person now that I eat more, care less about my appearance, and enjoy a drink or two regularly for either social reasons or to unwind before bed with a small glass of wine. I really debated "cleaning up" my diet, cutting out stevia and packaged foods that I enjoy, and giving up alcohol, but is it really worth it? No. I'd lose weight and be cranky. Plus, I'm 24. I need to embrace my youth while I can.

Now I'm off to MC some bowling event, give out prizes, and countdown to the New Year. I expect to be highly entertained. I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Years' Eve! Peace out, 2013!

Snow and a yoga goal

Day two of snow in Rhode Island. Just enough snow to cause everyone to drive like absolute morons and give me anxiety commuting to work. Miguel is not a winter car, just like I am not a winter person. 

Little Miguel Corona Ricardo Guacardo Avocardo, so happy in the summer time. Now he is sad and camera-shy in his snow-covered state :(

I almost partly grateful for the pile of paperwork sitting on my desk because it gives me an excuse not to go out driving around to the houses. 

All of this makes the warmth of the yoga studio after work so much more comforting.

Speaking of yoga, I've been focusing a lot of my energy on increasing my flexibility lately. I've mastered splits on both sides. Now if only I could get my straddle split... 

Some random standing split stretch from Sunday morning yoga. My leg did not feel this high at all.

I think I'm going to refocus my practice for the remainder of the year, however. I'll still challenge my flexibility of course, but I have set a personal yoga goal for myself to achieve by 2014. A pose that has seemed impossible for months, no matter how many times I've tried.

One-Legged Crow

a.k.a. Eka Pada Bakasana

That's my beautiful yoga instructor, Paula, demonstrating a perfect example. (Love you, Paula! Please don't be upset that I'm posting your picture, it's just so stunning!)

This pose requires so much body awareness, balance, core strength, lack of fear, and determination. I think I've finally figured out the body mechanics behind this pose. I'm so close I can taste it. I am at the point where I can extend my leg, but I can't seem to hold it up just yet. I refuse to enter the new year without having mastered this pose, if only just for a second. 

I have a lot of practicing to do.