Crazy!!!

This weekend was one of those crazy weekends that make me feel glad to be alive, and lucky to live in Colorado! Friday Tula Hot Yoga started the 30 day yoga Challenge. I go nearly 30 times a month, so a challenge is the perfect incentive to get me motivated to make it there a few extra times. So Friday I started off strong with a refreshing 6am class. And then I went back at 5:00 for the Hot Music class. I love the music class because its chill (not temperature wise) and relaxing! Then Saturday I went to the gym for Yoga Sculpt (think combo yoga + weight lifting), then biked to the grocery store to do my shopping for the week, then headed back over to the gym for a vinyasa yoga class. It was a beautiful day, so after Adam got out of work we took a walk around Cheeseman Park and enjoyed the sunshine. Then I headed out for 90 minutes of Hot Yoga goodness!

Sunday was the Dam Half Marathon, and it was a beautiful day for it! I started the day around 7:45 with a warmup bike ride out to Cherry Creek State Park (about 13 miles away). I biked out there for the Denver Half Marathon this past summer, but the route I took this weekend was so much easier, I never felt lost, and I made it there with plenty of time to spare! The race was great. I got to see gorgeous snow covered mountains as I ran. That view alone is what keeps me signing up for half marathons! The sights and the adrenaline made me remember how much I love living in Colorado. My time was great too: 2:19:57! Then I biked home. I did get a little turned around on the ride home, probably adding an extra mile or two (uphill of course). Then I had just enough time to rise off, walk to the grocery store for a powerade and bike to another glorious 90 minutes of Hot Music. Glorious! It was a phenomenal weekend that made me feel alive, and happy and tired.  Two days later my legs wont let me forget it!

Not a great pic, but that was a spectacukar view in person!

Rejection

Friday I received the email saying that OB Minnesota has elected to hire more qualified applicants for the summer internships. I'm devastated. I've wanted to work for OB ever since I first heard of the organization three years ago. I've been planning on transitioning to this for nearly a year now. I've cleared my calendar and my obligations for May, and now it feels like my life is just ending and I've nothing lined up next. Being rejected from my dream job makes me feel like my life has lost all direction and momentum. I feel stagnated, and unable to pull myself out of this rut. After some research it seems like application deadlines for other locations, and similar organizations has passed, and I missed my opportunity. I'm trying to remain positive about my future. I can only foresee staying in Denver a little longer, staying with my job that has ceased to have meaning for me, and in an apartment I can't even unroll a yoga mat in. I'm trying to remember all the good elements of the life I've built here, and can continue to enjoy.

Trying New Things

Last week was truly terrific! On Tuesday I tried Forrest Yoga for the first time. It was pretty interesting, and definitely challenging. While not as enjoyable as other yoga classes I’ve had I definitely learned a lot about several postures, and see a great opportunity to continue to improve my practice. I’m about to go to another class tonight! After that Liz and I went to dinner at Watercourse to use the Groupon she gave me for Christmas. In the spirit of trying new things I had the blackened tofu instead of one of my tried and true menu items.

Saturday was the Snowman Stampede race. I signed up for the ten mile race, and it wasn’t until afterwards that I remembered: I haven’t run more than six miles since September! The race was out in Littleton, so I biked the 12+ miles to the race, ran as best I could, and then biked home. I knew it wouldn’t be my fastest race ever, and I did meet my goal of completing it in under two hours (it took 1:50:51). Then I had some time to relax and refuel before hot yoga. I love being able to attend the 90 minute Hot classes on the weekends. During the week I go to a quick 60 minute class at 6am, which is a great way to wake up, but my Friday my body just craves that longer stretch!

Liz recently bought a membership to FillASeat Denver, a program that obtains last minute tickets to shows and sports events and gives them to its members. Sunday she took me to a show at the Vintage Theatre in Aurora that showcased a couple local performers singing songs. It was a fundraiser to raise money for the theatre and build their client base (to do our part we gave our patronage to the bar). I loved the performances! There were so many talented performers singing everything from Sinatra to songs they had written. My favorite was the woman who sang “The Wizard and I” from “Wicked.” Her voice was amazing and she did a great job! The best part of the night was a gentleman who told jokes, and played his guitar while singing. He told a bunch of groaners, then started strumming the guitar, and the whole crowd starts reacting to the chords. And he starts singing. He performed the Gilligan’s Island Theme song, with a lot of audience participation! By the end I was singing right along “The Professor and Mary Anne….Here on…” At this point Liz leans over and says, “How do you know the words, what is this song?” Turns out Liz has never heard of Gilligan’s Island. Which I still cannot believe. It was an awesome night, and hopefully Liz will continue to get tickets to cool things!

Yoga and Running

I had a great weekend! Friday was the quarterly network maintenance day at work so I managed to work most of my hours Monday through Thursday and just went into the office until noon on Friday. Adam also had off so we spent the rest of the day walking around Denver, eating lunch at Senor Burritos, then checking out Punch Bowl Social, a game bar I've heard good things about. It seemed awesome. They had a few bowling lanes inside! We tried the special drink of the day and played darts. Then we ended the day by watching movies, and finishing season 1 of American Horror Story.

Saturday was an amazing yoga day! Again I manged to go to three classes- yoga sculpt, yoga flow, and hot yoga. The yoga sculpt class (yoga plus weights) this week was such a workout, I nearly couldn't do the chaturangas in the second class! Then the hot yoga class was an excellent way to end the day. Being in that 105degree room really helped stretch me out and rejuvenate my muscles. Today was the 4th 5K in the Run Denver series- the Valentine's Day 5K. Today's race actually felt good. This run didn't hurt at all, and I was able to enjoy every moment! The last two, I've felt out of breath and out of shape from being sick, and each race just seemed like something to get through. But today's race was great and now I'm really looking forward to next weekend's 10 miler!

Finally Feeling Fine!

The past couple of weeks I have been feeling sick! At first I had a sore throat, then a cough and runny nose, and the past week, I've felt so much better, but so tired I could do little more that go to work. But today I felt so great! I was able to get out of the house, do yoga sculpt, vinyasa, and hot yoga, bike all over town, and finally unpack from my apartment move!

This week has been jam packed with life events! Liz and I moved out of our beautiful, big apartment. I'm in a tiny studio two blocks closer to work. It's a cute little place, and the only criteria I had was that I be close to work. I've learned that someday, when I'm looking for a place to live longer term, I'd like a big kitchen, and to not be in a basement so the windows will let in sunlight. However I do like the location of this place, and it meets my needs perfectly. Liz moved into a house with three guys a lot farther away. I can't wait to find out how she's dealing with roommates!

This week I also had my OB interview. I'm not sure how it went. I did manage to talk about my strengths, leadership experience, experience leading young adults during community service projects, and experience camping. However I don't think I managed to show my strengths of working with teens, and I don't have any canoeing/portaging experience. From the interview it sounds like the position and the organization would be a great fit for me. I do think I would do well, learn alot, and really enjoy the different tasks involved. The interns even get to lead students on community service projects toward the end of the Intercept Program trips! Hopefully my strengths outweigh my weaknesses and they think I'm a good fit too!

Vacation

Last week I flew to Connecticut for a little winter vacation. I spent the whole week eating too much and not exercising at all. I brought Adam and Jaws home with me, which made the flight there pretty awesome. Jaws was pretty thoroughly sedated, so although he hated every minute of it we did manage to get him into the carrier, and through the whole ordeal with minimal whining. Adam even clipped Jaw's claws before we left! Now Jaws is living in the lap of luxury in Connecticut. He has a big old house to run around in, a choice in litter boxes, and two new people he can trick into feeding him 4 times a day. All he has to do is outrun Zelda and try not to annoy my dad too much.

While we were home we ate out every meal. I felt uncomfortably full the entire trip, and barely made my company's Holiday Weight Challenge weigh in when I got back. (I stayed exactly the same). We ate at Sushi Palace, Indian Neck Pizza, SBC, Max Brenner's, Darbar, Jalapeno Heaven, the Parthenon, and Panera. Plus Christmas Cookies! I checked out a new yoga studio while I was at home. I was hoping to be able to stretch out, maintain my practice, and possibly learn something new. But the studio I found offered only meditation based classes, mostly involving laying down and breathing. I gave it a fair chance, but I only learned that particular style of yoga is not for me.

We traveled to New York City and spent the day wandering in and out of bars/restaurants. Then Sunday we went to the Mark Twain house, and toured his house, and the Harriet Beecher Stowe house. Twain's house is super impressive and the tour is interesting, but I'm glad we toured the Stowe House too. I hadn't seen her house before. Seeing the Mark Twain house was definitely Adam's favorite part of the trip too!

Here is Jaws forcing Dad to cuddle while he tries to do the crossword.

Reflections and Resolutions

• What are the things of 2012 that you are most proud of?

Finishing the classes for my Certification in Nonprofit Management

Paying off my student loans

Running a marathon

• What experience has made you the happiest?

Going to Joplin to volunteer for a week made me happiest. It made me realize that working with volunteers and people passionate about a cause is what I really want to do with my life. I met great people and was really inspired to change my life and pursue my dreams.

• What changes would you make to your career in 2013?

In 2013 I would like to change my career and follow my passion. I would like to help people experience the world as I have been able to experience it: seeking the unknown, finding strength and leadership through teamwork, and the beauty of volunteering and serving others. In the summer I would like to intern with Outward Bound assisting with the wilderness backpacking trips with at risk youth. In the fall I hope to work with a Habitat for Humanity affiliate to lead construction crews.

Upon Reflection:

In 2012 I ran 17 races: 2 Marathons, 3 Half Marathons, 1 Triathlon, one 10K, nine 5Ks, and a 7K. I discovered that I love doing yoga. I woke up one morning and realized that I felt happy and whole, and ready to take risks and leave my comfort zone again. I worked two jobs. I learned to cherish the time I leave unscheduled. I’ve met new people and made new friends.

Resolutions:

I’m going to put money from every paycheck into savings. I want to change my spending habits a little. I’m going to stop shopping for material things. I don’t need anything. I’m going to de-clutter my life. Today I’ll spend the morning sorting through my stuff, getting rid of the trash and donating the things I don’t use. I want to be less of a pack rat. I’m going to cook more and not stop for takeout for meals. I want to eat healthier.I want to try something new. In 2012 I started practicing yoga, and discovered I love it! I want to keep running! For someone who could never run like I can now, marathon-ing is a super power! I’d like to run more than 3 half-marathons this year. I want to live more in the moment, and less in anticipation of what’s next. I want to stay in better touch with my friends.

This is Liz's room, after I filled it with balloons when she went home for the Holidays!