Anuugacchati Pravaha

Go with the flow
Follow your inner goldfish

What makes Goldfish happy?

Recently, I picked up the book I had been actively avoiding for some time now. Why, you ask, would I avoid a book? Well, in all honesty, because it was popular. I frankly couldn't imagine why I would want to read a book that everyone else in America seemed to enjoy.

On the recommendation from a friend that I love very much, I started reading it. It was 50% off when I bought two books. Pretty good deal. The other book that I bought was Forrest Griffin's new book "Got Fight." I wanted that because he's one of Chris' favorite fighters (but, really that title goes to our very own Carlos Condit) and because it looked fun.

I was going through other random books and had decided on getting some other book. Then my brother called me (yes, on my phone) in the bookstore. He was a few isles over and couldn't find me. As I walked back the way I came after finding my little brother, I saw it. I saw the book that I wanted. "Eat Pray Love."

It doesn't sound like me at all. Pray in the title? Really? OMG, don't ever NOT buy a book just because of the reasons I just mentioned. This is probably one of the BEST books I've ever read...the plot line is simple enough and very good, but the real reason I love the book is because of the writing. It's amazing. She is inspiring with every word on the page.

Not to sound cliche, melodramatic, etc., but within the first 34 chapter, it has literally changed my life. And I hate the word 'literally.'

Not that I'm a newly divorced, then newly heartbroken 30-something that has some amount of money from her amazing writing (enough to travel for a year), but the take home messages are clear enough. The message from the first 34 chapters is becoming a mantra to me this month. Find what makes the Goldfish happy. What the hell does she want? What makes her lose her mind in fits of happy giddy silly sunniness? It's different (a lot different) from the first list I put on here.

And actually, in my own humble opinion, way more interesting.

It starts with a new found addiction for language. And not Italian (which is the author's favorite), but the less "traditionally beautiful" languages. I love Spanish and Hindi and I love listening to the guttural German and the awkward sounding Gaelic. For now, I'm learning (or in the case of Spanish, re-learning) the first two.

Spanish: Because, what the hell; I'm a Martinez whose dad speaks Spanish, lives in NM, has a large number of students who speak it, and has already taken years of it (don't act so surprised). Hindi: See my last blog post that went something like this- "Wa wa wa, I want to go to India real bad. Wa wa wa. Must go or I will lose my mind." Accurate enough?

I found these sites with video lectures teaching these languages for free! Oh what a day and age we live in. I'm making it a point to become fluent. I have now programmed 101.3 La Kalle into my car stereo right next to 97.7, 93.3, and 104.7. I think that my brother's station of choice may still be there as well (that thick carnival type Mexican music). And I will continue to order my horchata as mediano horchata porfavor. Since there is no Hindi station I'm going to have to rely on my sanskrit book, the website, and the set of CDs Chris was so kind to give me for Christmas.

This new found fascination with being happy also somehow includes my love for my city. I'm not actually sure if it's because I love Albuquerque or just the way it looks. I found this amazing blog of the best Abq. skylines while looking up photos of the Big I. This actually came about when I realized that I should probably keep my eyes on the road while driving the big circle from 25 N-40 E instead of ogling what I find to be one of the most beautiful and interesting projects in our grand city. But, I digress. Here's the website: http://www.city-data.com/forum/city-vs-city/243120-best-skylines-each-metro-size-14.html

Maybe you won't find it as enchanting as I do. Maybe you are jaded against all those red light/van tickets. Maybe, like my father, you think of the Bank of the West building as grotesque and old. While Chris is telling me to look at the scenery (meaning the mountains- and don't get me wrong, they are what makes the skyline gorgeous), I'm way more interested in my trip away from my foothills home. The first thing I see on my way down Copper is that damned Bank of the West building glinting gold under the rising sunlight. Oh how I love that picturesque view. Sure, I'm crazy, but that's the kind of stuff that makes us different.

27

I was called "Mom" by Cassia on my 27th birthday...hmmm. Good birthday gift...

Finishing off my list of 101

35. Obtain 5 new PFT clients. (2/5)
36. Save up for some Sephora makeup (0/$1 billion)
37. Reduce my use...of products (eg cleaning products, shampoo, toilet paper...)
38. Save up money for the INSANITY workout DVDs. (0/ 3 easy $39.95 payments + shipping, handling and other dumb fees)
39. Spend at least 2 hours per week cleaning the house.
40. Finish Eveliina's birthday gift. (3/4 of 1 really late gift)
41. Put together 10 playlists (0/10)
42. Get at least 20 new fitness CDs (0/20)
43. Learn to play the banjo. (0/1 instrument)
44. Speak less, write more.
45. Attend at least one hot yoga session (3/1)
46. Be consistent in taking all of my pills for an entire week (none missed) (105/15pills x 7 days)
47. Graduate Jeanne to 7.5 lb. weights
48. Check my pft schedule every day.
49. Take one day off per week for 6 months. (0/24)
50. Sleep 8 hours per day unless sick.
51. Do not text for an entire day. Pick up the phone and have some human to human contact. (0/24 hours).
52. No facebook for one full day. (0/24)
53. Reward myself every day without fail. Even at the end of non-productive days.
54. Attend hot yoga 3 x per week for a month (0/12)

Next installment of 11 goals

24. Read 8 pgs. per day of my new A&P book...and take notes (0/248 pages).
25. Study at least 1 hour per night at least 5x/week (0/60 hours).
26. Get assignments done at least 1 day before due date when possible.
27. Be able to do 20 regular push-ups in a row (20/20 push-ups).
28. Be able to do 1 unsupported pull-up (1/1 pull-up).
29. Self yoga practice at least 3x/week (0/36 days).
30. Eat only organics when possible...try for a full week (0/7 days).
31. Try above for a full month (0/30 days).
32. Increase Sunday morning kids yoga class size by 10 kids (0/10 new kids).
33. Be able to recognize and define each type of yoga (e.g. kundalini, shivananda hatha, iyengar)
34. Organize my car so that it is less likely to get and/or stay dirty. (check mate)

The first 23...Day 1 will start the day after I finish the list!

1. Read 10 books (cover to cover) (1/10 books)
2. Drink at least a full nalgene of water every day for a month (0/30 days)
3. Meditate for at least 20 min. per day for at least a month (0/30 days)
4. See an opera (0/1 show)
5. Memorize "Put Your Back Into it" by Ice Cube, upon request of PBJ. (0/13 verses)
6. Cut out fast food for at least a month (0/30 days)
7. Try at least 2 of Zuzana's recipes (0/2 recipes)
8. Lose 6% body fat (0/6%)
9. Give a dollar to every homeless person I see for a whole day (0/? homeless people)
10. Compliment everyone I talk to sincerely during one whole day (0/? people)
11. Write "You're Special" cards to all the children in my yoga class (0/? kids)
12. Get all A's in my pre-reqs for PT school (0/? classes)
13. Climb once a week for a month (0/4 sessions)
14. Call several radio stations and market Little Buddha Yoga (0/3 stations)
15. Visit Self Serve (0/1 visit)
16. Be on time (5 min. early) to everything for a week. (1/7 days)
17. " for a full month (0/30 days)
18. Transcribe all notes most nights for Summer semester (0/12 weeks)
19. Buy savings bonds with every paycheck for at least 6 months (0/12 paychecks)
20. Run a 10k (0/10 Ks)
21. Do a Century Bike Ride (0/100 miles)
22. Run a half marathon (0/13.1 miles)
23. Beat my time at the Rattlesnake Triathlon (0/3 events)

101 things in 1001 days

I was reading an article on The Simple Dollar (http://www.thesimpledollar.com/) and it stood out to me. This man wrote down 101 goals that he would try to accomplish in 1001 days. His list seemed really ambitious to me...but perhaps he is a really really driven person. Now, as driven as I am, I can't see myself doing all the things he had on his list. The rules are simple. They must be intermediate term goals (1001 days = 2.75 years), they must be measurable in some way (write 30 peoms, etc.), and they must be realistic but challenging. I'd like to put together my own list. I'd love to look at it every day and work hard towards accomplishing every goal.

But first, let's take a look at my progress on my New Years Resolutions!

1. Find a way to get and stay organized: I'm actually making good progress on this one. My planner stays full and by my side at all times. All my to do lists are in it. Today I organized my backpack. Next is my car :). I have lots of time lines to follow to stay on track...it's going well.

2. Never overdraw my accounts again: So far so good...but according to my checkbook this week, I'm about $2 over my limit...hasn't posted yet. Thinking about depositing a few dollars to make sure I don't get slammed again.

3. More and better marketing and networking: I suck at making this stuff happen. I have great ideas for marketing, I just have yet to use them. Thanks to Brandi, I was able to network with HD Yoga and will start working with their kids program this summer!

4. Work out for myself at least 3 days per week: This one has been going amazingly well! Thank you Melanie!!! If it weren't for you I wouldn't have near as much incentive for getting up at 630am.

5. Eat more veggies and fruit: Uh, can't say I've made a ton of progress on eating MORE, per say...I do try when I can, though. What I have done is to swear off sweets for a month as a challenge to myself. I have felt increadible changes to the way I feel because of this.

6. Make concerted efforts not to be late anymore: I'm proud to say this one has been getting a lot better. There is still some progress to be made...plus I hate being at places early. It makes me feel like I'm waisting time....Parking at CNM will be my next hurdle to overcome to getting places 5 min. early.

7. Take a dance or yoga class: I have one lined up for next week at HD Yoga. I was thinking this one was never going to happen...not sure the dance class will :(, but the yoga classes WILL happen! I must start working harder on my own practice.

8. Make more money: The only way I could think of to make this one happen is to get into PT school at UNM. Failure is not an option.

9. Keep making efforts to save money: At this point I could be doing a lot more than I am. I thought for an instant about maybe having to pick up a credit card again and almost cried. Times are a little tougher than they need to be, but I just thought about putting together some graphs of my monthly spending habits...including having to refill my gas tank 6x this month!!!

10. Pay off credit card debt and never look back: see previous two statements.

11. Start climbing again: HA! Damn it. Nope. Try, fail. Try, fail. I will keep trying.

12. Learn to cook: See previous statement...;)

13. Keep working on last year's resolutions: For the most part I think I'm doing okay with these. Still have to keep them in check...especially the swearing part :#.

In conclusion, tomorrow will mark day #1 on my journey to accomplishing 101 goals in 1001 days. I guess #1 goal on the list is to actually spend some time putting this list of 101 goals together. :) Wish me luck!

I'm buzzing

My head is buzzing
with light and monkies.

I lost 3 lbs. I gained 1 back = 2 lbs. lost

I hate dogs. I love wood floors. I don't miss old friends...I miss the ones I have.
I can't transfer that balance nor can I pay it off. So I'm stuck with 17.55 of hell.

I love kids. I don't want kids. I was put on this Earth to have children. I want kids.
I didn't take my pills this morning. Will I have dinner tonight if Chris isn't here? When should I take my vitamin D? When is that "to-do" list going to get done? Why can't I remember things?

Am I management material or will I always be like this? What does this key go to? My kids are going to do yoga every morning. I'm late. I'm late again. I hate FRIDAYS. I HATE them.

This New Year just snuck right up on me

As I look back on 2009, I see all the same shit I always do. Transgressions, faults, horrible days, heartache. We're all happy for a clean slate. A new start. A new year. But do we have the right intensions? Maybe.

Things that didn't go so well:
The slow but steady crumble of my desk job at CNM...
Terra refusing to see me for most of this and part of last year.
My decision to put off going to grad school.
The degradation of my savings due to Christmas and limited resources from only having 5 jobs now. You would think I'd be rolling in it.
Mice.
I never did another race.
I stopped working out for myself.
I'm still as disorganized as ever.
I tried a very powerful medication and things went very wrong.
I don't live at the place I will spend thousands of dollars on.
I lost the final of a student and gave him an F. I found it under my car seat.
I almost lost a job for being late/forgetting sessions more than 3 times.
My diet has gone to shit.
I let people down.
My parents are still pretending that Chris doesn't exist.
And that's just within my household. Never mind the rest of the world...

Thankfully, the good things that have happened were recent enough for me to remember those too. Top 5 are enumerated here IN THE ORDER I THOUGHT THEM UP:

5. I opened my yoga studio. Even though I have lost a lot of money in this endeavor, I have faith that with my resolutions, it will soon start to make us some money. The children I have worked with already have made all of this worth it. I love going to work every Sunday to do yoga with my littlest friends.

4. Chris finished his shape chapter. This is a huge accomplishment and I am so proud of him. Then he went on to figure out the entire universe...Go Chris.

3. Terra is home, much better and within the last couple of weeks, she has agreed to let me in the same room with her.

2. Chris and I are going on our third year together. We are much stronger. Much healthier. And hopefully ready to face another year as "we."

1. I got an A in Exercise Physiology without having to sacrifice too much.

Suprisingly, I kept a lot of last year's resolutions:

1. No more lies (kept if for all the hard parts)
2. Cut down on swearing (I don't know. I feel like I totally did)
3. Keep communication open and free-flowing (this one got us in big trouble-not kept well)
4. Save money (I did such a great job up until now)
5. Take steps toward traveling (I have a passport, I've been accepted to the program in India, All I need is a ticket)
6. Complete at least a 7th triathlon (Nope, Not a chance)
7. Make a concerted effort to help out (I have made a very concerted effort. Doesn't mean there isn't still more work to be done.)
8. Take steps toward opening my own business (I skipped to the owning part :))
9. Stop living as though I don't deserve happiness (Still not sure about this one)
10. Love to the fullest and give back what I have received (I will continue to do this)

And these are my resolutions for 2010:

1. Find a way to become and stay organized
2. Never overdraw my accounts again
3. More and better marketing and networking
4. Workout at least 3 days per week (on my own)
5. Eat more veggies and fruit
6. Make concerted efforts not to be late anymore
7. Take a dance class and yoga
8. Make more money
9. Keep making efforts to save money
10. Pay off credit card debt and never look back
11. Start climbing again
12. Learn to cook
13. Last but not least-keep working on last year's resolutions