the world keeps on spinning

bird at Audubon Park last weekend

Ch-ch-ch-changes would probably be the theme of my life in 2010. Now it seems it's following me in to 2011.

This past Monday, after carrying around my formal written resignation for a month, I finally quit my job! Instead of feeling afraid that next month I won't be able to pay my bills or that the horrible feeling of being home every day alone is going to start up again I just felt relieved. I do not like to quit things so I made myself stick it out and gave my best every day for three months until I decided that I could not continue with that organization. Of course I would love to write about all of the ridiculous and even horrendous policies and daily problems going on at my job. But, I wouldn't do that to a company just to whine. I have given my two weeks in a very professional manner and I will leave there on good terms.

Which means, in two weeks I'm jobless! I have had some wonderfully exciting ideas about where I would like to see my career go next. Both ideas are very different from what I've been doing. Both are also very scary in that there is a huge possibility that I will spend a lot of time, effort, and money and fail.

Someone recently asked me, what would you do if you knew you couldn't fail. And I know I would definitely do these two things. So, I suppose I have to jump in and make some big changes! While I'm still terrified I hope that my excitement and passion will power me through to meet my new goals :)

the yoga challenge

I'm ready to talk about yoga.

Normally yoga is a private thing for me that I am not willing to talk about much, for no specific reason except that it's just for me. In 2011, though, yoga will play a bigger part in my life. Starting with the yoga challenge.

Now, I should explain that there are technically two yoga challenges for me. The first one began on January 1st when i decided that I would practice yoga every single day of 2011. I was going strong for the first few days with only a few difficulties. One was that I had to find the time to fit in a daily practice. This shouldn't be such a big deal except that it's so cold and dark here in the morning that I didn't want to wake up early and was sometimes busy until late at night. Time, however, was not the biggest challenge. Today is only the 12th and I have to admit the 365 days of yoga has ended. When I got sick on December 23rd I developed a tough cough that has stuck with me. This annoying cough actually gave me what feels like a pulled muscle over my ribs. It's not a dangerous injury but it is super annoying and actually pretty painful. Therefore, I chose to stop my intensive daily yoga practice and bring it down a notch until I heal. So far I'm not better but I think I'm on the mend!

The second yoga challenge begins this Saturday! New Orleans studio and boutique, LifeYoga, is doing a month long program where $99 buys you unlimited access to all of their yoga classes. On top of that, the challenge aspect is that starting January 15th the goal is to attend one yoga class every day for a month. LifeYoga is actually giving out rewards for anyone who completes the challenge successfully including a t-shirt, water bottle, massages, portrait session, 25% of the next purchase, and an entry to win 3 months of free yoga. Go HERE for more info from LifeYoga on the 30 day challenge and join me!

I'm really excited about the 30 day yoga challenge. I am going to continue with my daily yoga practice after I complete the first month with LifeYoga. Already, I am antsy to get back on my mat and I am definitely not practicing the other aspects of yoga as much as I do when I am consistent with my physical practice. Hopefully my muscle will feel a lot better by Saturday when I get back on my mat for a strenuous practice...I can't wait :)

taken at Audubon park- November 2010

meeting (some) goals

On October 3rd I decided to become a runner.
The plan was not to go full force for two or three weeks and then give up like I have before. I wanted to stick with it. I just wanted to say that I can do this if I really want to and give it a good try. I wanted to do it for myself. And I did, so far. Starting that day I put on my Lululemon's and ran around the Garden District three or four times a week. I ran 1.3 to 1.5 miles for the first few weeks. After every run I collapsed on my front steps and tried to catch my breath for five minutes. I also poured sweat- one time my landlord even commented on it. Then, after taking a few days off, I could easily run two miles. That was November first. Then, three days later I ran 2.57 miles. It was easy too! I wasn't out of breath at all and although things ached (all the joints in my legs) I could do it. Then all of sudden I was set back to my original one and a half miles... and it was a hard one and a half miles. I mean really hard. After half of a mile I thought that I could not pick my feet up off the streets anymore and that I'd have to stay in the street until the Garden District Police found me. But, I kept on going.
Last week, I ran only one time. It was just one of those weeks. I ran in the dark after work one night after complaining to Ben that I didn't want to run. I decided to change my route and I ended up running 3 miles. Three miles! It's been less than two months and I can run three miles. That's a whole 5K.

I really do not know how to explain how difficult a goal this was for me to make. Even while making it I didn't fully believe that I would get out there and jog around the streets. But, I did! And, while I have not run since last Thursday I have this new goal- to get up early and run in the morning. Eek. Yes, I think I need to at least try. That way I am running when there's more light outside and it gives me time for yoga in the afternoon.

So. Set your goals. Even if while setting them you're second guessing what you can do. You can do it. Now that I'm at 5K I'm going to have to keep going until I can run 7K and 10K and who knows how much further!