Saturday, January 31, 2009

???

About to go to bed...Exhausted, frustrated, confused...To answer your "why?" would take all night....Lots of things going on right now. I'm just thinking that I shouldn't think about any of it right now - too tired to process anything properly, so no use trying. Moments like these I wish I could clone myself and divide up my tasks between several of me ;) Seriously though feeling a bit overwhelmed by the number of responsibilities and general decisions I've got on my plate these days - and in different countries nonetheless! Man, times like these I really think back to my childhood, or even back to college days when it seemed like you had so many responsibilities but what I'd give for that load now! Ha!

A few people in my life often say that I'm really lucky to be able to travel around the world and study with my teacher in India and to have a supportive partner who understands that these are my dreams....And you know what - they are right, I am lucky. Lucky that I have the will to forge ahead and work through ALL the things I don't want to in order to do the things I do want to do...Make sense? I'm sure it does....We all have our stuff right...Well just feeling like my stuff is quite full on right now and man I could use a little help over here ;) sigh....

night night!

Randoms

Starbucks to close 300 more locations in second round of store closings....

Very Interesting site - fellow Twitter posted this link - found it mildly entertaining - be forewarned its entitled F*** My Life...

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Wisdom from Mama Shirley!



There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore... and who always will.

So, don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

Great Quote

My friend Sasha sent this quote to me - and I quite fancy it ;)

Quote of the day:

'Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm,
she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.
If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a
smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is
given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of
shit.'

Monday, January 26, 2009

PCB...W

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope you have had a relaxing, perhaps productive weekend ;) I sure have…On Friday I gave a few massages and then spent the evening hanging out with friends. Saturday was all about Krista – I had a wonderful breakfast the Green Hotel with Rowena and Chris, both here with me from Edinburgh.

I then went to my pamper spot and got a pedicure, facial, and coconut oil hair treatment ;) I opted to leave the coconut oil in my hair overnight as that is what you are typically supposed to do in order for the oils to really help you hair – and I must say my hair has never felt so healthy. I plan to do a little experiment and put coconut oil in my hair twice per week for the next two weeks to see if it will help my dry hair syndrome. Most Indian women have the healthiest looking GOREGOUS hair, and they attribute it to twice weekly coconut oil treatments – so I will just have to see about this!

After a few hours of marvelous pampering I came home to spend the REST of my Saturday learning Photoshop and working on my website. Website is not yet finished but I have made tremendous amounts of progress, for which I am grateful!

Yesterday’s led second series class was awesome! I am really quite happy I’m starting to enjoy led second, something which never used to be so enjoyable ;) Now that I’m working up till Mayurasana I move to the back of the room and wait to begin finishing sequence till the rest of the led group has finished all of second series – I used to just move to the back and do finishing and leave when I was done…But it seems once you get to Mayurasana you wait to finish. I’ve never been in this situation before – it’s great to sit there and work on my breathing and watch the group do the remaining asanas in second series, but boy is it a challenge to do backbends once you’ve gotten cold ;(

After second series I came home and had some breakfast before venturing out on Miss India Gold to find the Lalitha Mahal Palace on my own…You see I was to meet Rowena, Chris and Kate there to enjoy some much desired sun. I have never biked all the way out there before, only been via rickshaw…And this is an area of Mysore I’m not too familiar with…To make a long story short, I got lost! I think it should have taken me no more than an hour on the bike to get to the Palace, and when I had made a circle back to the center of town 1 ½ hours after leaving my house I made the executive decision to bike to the Southern Star to lay out instead. I knew very well how to get there, my bum was a bit tired of sitting atop the bike, I wanted a break and wanted to lie in the sun for a few hours, and I was feeling a wee bit lazy. So sue me! I went to the Southern Star and enjoyed a glorious two hours by the pool reading. I’m currently reading Blue Christmas, by Mary Kay Andrews – the title I thought quite suiting for a lovely day at the pool in January in Mysore ;) – I was grateful for the time to read as I’ve had trouble making time recently for enjoyable reading. And sadly I’ve only got about 50 pages left in this book – always hate to say goodbye to great reading!

When I’d had enough of the pool I biked back to Gokulam to meet up with Laura at the coconut stand as we’d made plans to bike around town together. I took her through Saraswatiporium, an area of Mysore I like very much b/c it has a rockin energy about it – not sure why, but it does! We biked for nearly two hours and by the time we got back to Gokulam I was exhausted, hungry, dirty, and thirsty! Geez! I came home and tore up my kitchen while waiting for the hot water to get hot. As I was sitting at my table consuming a banana with peanut butter, and some roasted broad beans I suddenly realized that my diet thus far this trip to India almost ENTIRELY consists of foods with the letters P B or C…Peanut Butter, Peanuts, Papaya, Poached Eggs, Porridge, Broad Beans, Bread, Butter, Bananas, Chai, Coconuts, Cashews, and Carrots. Is that odd???? But then as I went to the kitchen to cut up some of my recently purchased Watermelon, I realized I also occasionally consume substances that begin with W – watermelon and wine ; )

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Luna Bars and Cliff Bars Recalled

For Everyone out there who loves Cliff bars like I do...check the package before you take a bite!

Why?

I knew today's practice would be a bit of a challenge...You see, I had a wee lil accident on my bike last night and gained a bit of a bobo on the palm of my hand and a few scrapes on other body parts (will explain momentarily)...I was careful to clean my hand and apply 'liquid skin' (better than a bandage - supposedly!) to the bobo before practice but knew this bobo was gonna bother me no matter what. I mean com'on you use the palm of your hand in EVERY asana man...whatever, I went about my business and really focused on my bandhas full on today instead of the burning sensation on the palm of my hand. All was well til Supta Vajrasana - after completing the posture I realized my 'liquid skin' had lived to term and had pealed off, exposing my bobo to my manduka ;( I went on with things though, albeit a bit slower than usual, and I only worked on Karandavasana a few times today.

Backbends didn't feel too shabby, but they didn't feel so great either. Sharath came over and after drop backs he took my hands to my chins...but today they landed an inch lower than usual...I heard him say, "why?" He moved my hands up a bit just below my knees, and again he said, "Why?" He is usually able, on the first go to get my hand at or just below my knees, and on the second go on my quads...When I stood up with a pain ridden look on my face he just looked at me blankly and said, "WHY?" I avoided his question and SLOWLY lowered myself to my mat so he could squash me...all the while thinking he could read my mind, "Sharath I'm not giving up my bicycle! I could be a wee bit tighter today b/c I had a lil accident on my bike yesterday, but its not the bike riding in general that has my back tighter today. And even if it were, I'm not giving up my bicycle!"

...I went out for an awesome ride early in the evening before the sun went down. Like a lil kid I had a ball dashing through India's adventurous traffic on my Red Miss India Gold, lapping up the wind hitting my face, listening to my ipod. I started my wee journey off the beaten path, to an area of Mysore I've never seen - made my way through tons of small towns and past little shops and, lots of people enjoying the cool breeze of the evening.

I got back on a main road as the sun was beginning to set, en route to the city to pick up more business cards I ordered. Being the multi-tasker that I am, I gracefully managed to take my sunglasses case from my bag in my nifty basket, remove my sunglasses from my face, place them in their case, back in my bag, and back in my basket. I also, while pedaling on a main road in 'rush hour' traffic in India, managed to take my water bottle from my bag in my basket, and chug nearly a liter of water before returning the bottle into the basket. No problem!

Got to the printer - was quite happy for a few minute break. And to my utter surprise (NOT) I was welcomed with, "hello madame, just one moment!" Ten minutes later.... "Madame, they have been taken for lamination and it should be no more than thirty minutes." Ten minutes later... "Madame, they will not be ready til tomorrow!" Now a few years ago this would have angered me, or at the very least slightly annoyed me....But you see I've learned how things work in India. So I only stopped by the printers to 'check' on the 'status' of the cards that were supposed to be ready today, and I only stopped by to check because I wanted a wee break from riding my bike; but KNEW full well before I even got there that I wouldn't leave with those cards! So I happily said, "No problem, I come back on Thursday!"

There is no greater place to cycle than right here in Mysore - the weather is perfect, the hills are incredible, the scenery amazing, and the energy superb! In the early evening when the sun stops beating down like mad, the air cools and feels so delightful on your skin.

After another hour of riding it had become full dark and I decided it was time to head home...I was about fifteen minutes from my flat, riding down a little side street, listening to my ipod, which was hooked to the left side of the neck of my shirt for easy accessibility. As I was pedaling I decided I wanted to skip ahead to the next song, something I've done a hundred times while pedaling my bike through the 'Sore. I usually keep my left hand on the handle bar and manipulate my ipod with my right hand. And so my multi-tasking skills went to work but something went terribly wrong...As I was reaching towards my ipod with my right hand, I unknowingly went over a large hump in the road and lost control of my front tire ;(

The result...the bike tire went left and the bike went down to the right with me crashing down on top of it - sounds FAR more dramatic than it really was, really! My new Red Miss India Gold has a few scars, and my lovely lil basket has a new shape :) but all in all she's fine. And me, no biggie, I have a few small cuts in some ODD places from falling onto my bike, and the palm of my right hand took a little beating b/c its what braced my fall. I remember getting up from the ground on that small street in the dark and laughing out loud b/c I was grateful that it happened on a small street in the dark with no one around - OMG how embarrassing it would have been if that occurred in the center of gokulam in broad daylight! Ha, writing it on my blog and publishing it on the web for the world to read somehow seems less embarrassing :)

When I spoke to Kwang last night after I got home I told him I had a lil accident on my bike...I told him it wasn't a 'traffic accident' but a 'krista accident' and he started laughing really hard - he said he figured as much, "Krista you are the clumsiest person in the world!" Ain't that the truth!

So will I keep riding my bike? Definitely! In Mysore? Of Course! Will I keep multi-taking while riding my bike in Mysore? Yeah probably :)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

McYoga

Most of my students and friends know I'm a yogini who consumes meat and dairy products...Some people find that odd seeing as how I'm a yogini and all...

I've always been quite open and passionate about my practices - food, yoga and otherwise...

I stand behind the idea that you should be who you are and do what feels good and right to you...

My girl Sasha sent me an amazing article on this very topic...You MUST read Derek Beres' McYoga.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Shala time

Leaving my house in a few....It's 5:50am my time, 6:05am shala time...Sharath moved me from 7:00am to 6:30am yesterday...Not a big deal but I was growing QUITE fond of my late start time...Lovely to wake up at 5:00amish and have a good 1 1/2 hours before practice...Only means I will see 6am and 5:30am start times before I leave...Its about non-attachment right? Ha, would be soooo silly to get attached to a TIME in space ;)

Yesterday I had the best practice I've had in MONTHS!!! First time since August my back felt proper open where it was delicious to take Kapotasana and Backbends. I got an incredible heat in practice, bandhas and drishti were rockin, and Shavasana was soooo deep and rejuvenating! Ahhhhh....yummy!

Am completely re-doing my website - and FINALLY started working on that monumental project yesterday...I'm so picky about every little detail regarding colors, fonts, text, pictures - gonna be a long undertaking - and since I won't have the time to do it once I get back to the States I need to get my asana in gear ;)

During a much needed break from the computer I took an incredible bike ride into the city, somewhere outside the city, and all around gokulam - my Miss India Gold is getting worn in properly :)

Well, I must go for now - wishing everyone a wonderful Monday evening in America, lovely sleeping in Scotland, and good morning in India ;)

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Happy Sunday :)

Hello and Happy Sunday from the 'Sore :)

Hope all is well with you wherever you are in the world....

I've had an extremely fun filled, exciting, enjoyable week here in Mysore. Practice at the shala has been INTENSE - in the best possible way! Monday was a led Second class due to Sunday's moonday - and I think that was the first led second class I've actually ever enjoyed. The rest of the week in Mysore my practice wore me out - my back tightened up a bit in Scotland and its gonna take some time in this warmer climate to really open back up to its good ole self ;) Today's led second was also quite lovely - there is NOTHING like practicing here in the shala under Sharath's guidance - Nothing....

I've been pretty busy with massages this week - good to be making some rupees while studying here! And this trip I had a special wooden massage table made with a great cotton mattress to go on top - it was a bit pricey but will have it paid off with a few more massages.

On Friday my friend Laura and I went to the city and purchased bicycles :) the highlight of my week...We both got Red Miss India bikes, fully equiped with locks, bells, and baskets ;) And we got a killer deal for them both - due to some time shopping around at about five bicycle shops. I took my brand new Miss India for a long ride Friday and Saturday - she's so perty!

Yesterday I went to the city with tina to purchase supplies for 20 girls at the convent - shampoo, ladies essentials, bodysoap, suds to wash clothes, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other neccessary items. We were in a bit of a hurry so we quickly stopped up to the convent and handed over the supplies for the girls. I paid for all the supplies for the girls so if anyone still wishes to donate some monies for the cause I'd be most grateful!

Today after Led second Rowena and I made the trip out to the Lalitha Mahal to soak up some of Mother India's gorgeous rays. We spent about three hours sitting by the pool, tanning our sun deprived bodies, and chatting up a storm. I left with more than a tan, I most definately have a bit of sunburn - but its all good b/c it will turn into a lovely golden brown in a day or two!

I can't believe its already the 18th of January - my goodness how time flies! This is gonna be my shortest trip to Mysore - two months only - and it seems like time is running out so quickly...I'm certainly going to enjoy every second I have here with my teacher and this lovely city. Yet I am also yearning to get home and see Kwang, my family and my friends. I miss everyone dearly and look forward to returning home in March.

I wish everyone a lovely Sunday and wonderful week ahead!

Om Shanti!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tina and I want your help again!

Good evening from the good ole 'Sore :)

It's time again to send a few rupees this way to help out some wonderful children in need! Tina is going to buy school supplies tomorrow for the children at the convent - if you are followers of zee blog you remember we raised funds for this school a few months back - we were able to provide necessary items for over 20 girls for the whole term ;) So if you wish to help Tina and these amazing girls, please please please let me know - anything will help $5.00, $10.00, $20.00 - Tina, the girls, and I would be so grateful!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Delhi

Good morning and happy Monday ;) - I've finally managed to post pictures from my trip through the North of India. I've posted them in order of places I've been and when so be sure to scroll through all entries from January 10-12th - Varanasi is the last stop before I returned to Mysore. I hope you enjoy the photos guys - I sure did enjoy taking them. But I must give credit where credit is due - this is a compliation of photos - some were taken by my friends John, Ed, Linda, Shainaz, and Scott. These Pictures from Delhi were taken December 21 and 22nd...














Saturday, January 10, 2009

Amritsar - December 23rd

We left Delhi around 8pm on December 22nd and took an overnight train to Amritsar. We arrived around 6:30am on the 23rd. We spent all day touring the amazing city. Amritsar, meaning "Pool of the Nectar of Immortality" is the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh Religion.







Our first stop was the Jallianwalla Bagh,the site of the Amritsar Massacre of 1919, one of the defining events of India’s struggle for freedom from British rule. On April 13, 1919 the British Indian Army soldiers under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children. Official sources place the casualties at 379, but private sources put the number at over 1000 with more than 1200 wounded, and Civil Surgeon Dr Smith indicated that they were over 1800.







Golden Temple - Amritsar - December 23

One of the real highlights of this city is the incredible Harimandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple. The Golden Temple is the most sacred shrine in Sikhism. It sits in the center of a sacred lake, accessed by a marble causeway. The Golden Temple kitchen serves free food daily to more than 40,000 visitors. After a tour of the Temple, we were given a tour of the kitchen and then sat down to enjoy lunch.