No more excuses

Hello Reader,

Whenever I meet someone new out here and I tell them I'm from Maine, I always get the same response, "... Maine?!" 

If I happen to meet someone from the northern half of the U.S. or the east coast or Canada or pretty much any where but the southwest, it's like we're long lost family.  There is an instant connection of being "from away." Meeting someone from New England is a novelty for me, but it's like finding someone from your hometown.

And that's how I view New England these days - It's my hometown.

I have found the horrific events that have happened in New England over the past six month to hit me much harder than I expected. Maybe it has something to do with the distance between here and there.

I've had my fair share of homesick moments while being out here. My go-to homesick song is, "Boston" by Augustana. I've been singing it since hearing the news at lunch yesterday. I found the events heart-wrenching and it was compounded by the fact the miles of the marathon were dedicated to victims from the shooting in Connecticut. 

When the shootings happened, there was a 26 acts of kindness initiative that started to trend. I said that I would be apart of it and haven't gotten around to it for all sorts of lame excuses. No more excuses. I will definitely be completing 26 acts of kindness.

I also think I will finally get my act together and start running. I saw a few people post on Facebook that they ran today even though they do not like running, and I thought there was something poignant about that. There's a 3 mile loop I love walking out here and I haven't run it - for all sorts of more lame excuses - even though I said I would try running it. 

So, again, no more excuses. I will complete 26 acts of kindness (and not really stop at 26) and I will run. I have put it out there into cyberspace and I will hold myself accountable this time.

Take care of each other.

- M

Apology for lack thereof writing, plus a new favorite thing in AZ

Hello Reader,

Forgive me blogging world for I have - once again - totally dropped the ball with the regular posting goal of 2013. In my defense, it's been a little crazy out here. Details will come out in time and over blog posts, but for now, let's focus on my new favorite thing in AZ ...

Rooftop Yoga!

 

Oh my goodness, rooftop yoga is amazing. Pure happenstance I found out about this and I'm so glad I did. Life the past few months has been crazy and bringing it back to the yoga mat regularly has definitely helped. As I've said before, there is something about doing yoga outside that forces you to be here in the present. I also think to sit in stillness outside in the middle of a busy city adds to the experience. It reminds me that no matter how crazy life is, it is possible to find peacefulness. 

 

There's a lot of philosophy shared in this yoga class that has truly been speaking to me and where I am in life at this moment.  She talks about the courage it takes to try something new and go into the unknown, how vulnerability is going to be a part of any new experience and to note what your reaction is to it, and  she talks about being in the present not worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Some of her comments have hit me harder than expected (I changed my intention at one point mid practice to 'I will not cry in yoga' because of a few statements that conjured up mega emotions). But I think I've connected with this philosophy because I needed to have something to hang on to. I have carried those lessons from the mat into life which is the purpose of it anyways.

Thanks for reading!

Namaste.

- M

Tempe Empty Bowls

Hello Reader,

I have been on a go green/DIY/buy local/support your community kick lately and I thought I should start to share some of the little things I've done.

Recently, I attended an event called Tempe Empty Bowls. The purpose is to raise money to fill the bowls of the hungry in the surrounding community.

You purchase a ceramic bowl that has been donated and in exchange you receive soup and bread. The meal represents the caloric intake that sustain many in the world for an entire day. It is a very humbling event and I plan to continue to participate in it regularly.

I'll keep sharing as the weeks go on!

Thanks for reading!

- M

Arizona Time

Hello Reader,

I apologize for taking so long to write again. I have been stressing over figuring out my future life as a professional and grad student which has taken way to much of my time. I haven't figured life out yet, but I have stopped stressing (mostly). So that means, back to blogging!

I wanted to make sure to post on today because Daylight Saving Times starts ... everywhere but here. Arizona does not observe  Daylight Saving Times - and I think there's another state too... anyways, I'm not a fan of not changing the clocks like the rest of the country. I feel like I'm further from home for half the year since I'm three hours behind versus only two hours the rest of the year.  Not a whole heck of a lot I can do about it, just a random thing I am very aware of out here that I never thought of in Maine.

I'll be catching up on blog posts this week. I hope you enjoy them.

Thanks for reading!

- M

Beer and gelato!

Hello Reader,

It's Arizona Beer Week! This annual event was started by local brewers to support the craft brew industry and they also give back to local charities in AZ. I've been on a bit of a go local kick lately, so I felt the need to support this and the businesses involved.

There are literally hundreds of beer related happenings across the state this week. There are events for everyone from tastings to educational to pub crawls (which in turn support public transportation). I stumbled upon a flyer for a special at a local brewery and I knew it was the one I needed to check out ... Beer Float Sampler!

A local brewery paired four of their beers with four flavors of gelato for a very satisfying dessert! My two favorites were the pale ale with a blood orange gelato and a vanilla porter with a vanilla bean gelato. Delicious! I was a tad-bit disappointed that these were not served in mini cola glasses for that retro vibe, but oh well.

Cheers!

- M

Yoga in the park!

Hello Reader,

Yesterday was a glorious day because one of my favorite events in the valley returned for another season...Yoga Rocks the Park!

This 6-week series supports local charities and yoga studios across the valley. It is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon with beautiful live music, the sunny outdoor environment, and great yoga instructors.

The women who started this annual event summed up the experience yesterday quite well in that having your practice in the park forces you to be much more present than any practice in a studio. The weather shifted from warm to cool and back as the sun bounced between clouds keeps you present, and there's nothing like having uneven earth under your feet to keep you focused in balance postures. I can't wait until next week. Namaste.

Thanks for reading!

- M

I'm staying in AZ!!

Hello Reader,

I'm going back to grad school!! I was accepted into the Dance MFA program at ASU this week and I couldn't be more excited about it!

It also means I'll be sticking around this valley for at least a few more years.

A few months ago I really started to wonder why I was out here thousands of miles from everything and everyone I know.  I believe everything happens for a reason, and I couldn't figure out the reason I was only offered this one job in the opposite corner of the country. I felt there was a person I needed to connect with, or opportunity I should take advantage of, or something out here that would not have presented itself if I had stayed in Maine. I felt a little like Princeton from  Avenue Q trying to find my purpose (click here to listen to the song) and I think I finally found it in this dance program.

Ever since seeing that I was accepted (all 48 amazing hours) I have felt a new calm come over me. Knowing that I'm not moving again sometime soon, or needing to find a new job is incredible comforting. I feel like I can finally settle in here, get in regular routines throughout my weeks, and make the place I live mine. I don't feel rushed to travel all over the state, the Grand Canyon isn't going anywhere and neither am I for a few more years!

I should also mention I've been on a quest for an MFA in dance for over 4 years. I have plenty of friends and family who can attest to the fact that I have not been the same since stepping on that plane to my first audition in January of 2009. And now after being rejectioned by three dance school in 2009, receiving an acceptance later that summer into a grad program in education which I never thought I would pursue, and a year and a half in a job I never thought I would have, I am finally taking the first step toward my goal of an MFA in Dance!

Naturally, I felt the need to mark this joyous occasion with dessert. I made a celebratory batch of cookies yesterday. And I think I consumed a dozen - this is not an exaggeration. I seriously think I ate a dozen cookies in one afternoon...and they were amazing.

Thanks for reading!

- M