Mind Body Spirit

In an effort to find some exercise activities to supplement my daily 2 mile walk, I have been trying a few things before winter really sets in.  I still walk to work in the winter, but there isn’t much else in the way of exercise.  When the weather is nice, its easy to fit in another long walk or bike ride.  But I am afraid that my nice days are now going to be few and far between.  So I’ve tried both Zumba and Bollywood dancefit classes recently at Panache, and you know what?  I really like them.  It is a combination of aerobics and dance, but the music is pumping and while it isn’t exactly like dancing at a club, it feels really good to move to music.  And after months of talking about it, today Tim and I met up with Jenn at Hoosier Heights to do some wall climbing.  We had the official lesson, and Jenn helped us along with her experience and we had a great time.  I won’t be able to use my hands tomorrow, but it was worth it to climb to the top of the wall!  I never think of myself as a gym person, but yay to finding indoor activities that I actually like.

Tomorrow I will carve pumpkins (they are already scooped and ready to go) and put the final touches on my costume which will involve freezer paper stencils…my favorite!  Also maybe some quilting.

Hey! Is that your bag?

So yesterday afternoon, my bag with all my personal belongings was stolen from my back office at work.  Inside the bag were things like an ipod, my digital camera, a flash drive and my cell phone which will be expensive to replace.  But they CAN be replaced.  Expensive, but replaceable.  What breaks me up even more is the little things, the sentimental things.  The IU key ring that Cynthia gave me, and the polka dotted umbrella that was a gift from Thiên.  A goofy coin from a recent group project and a cheap Target reusable bag that I guilted Newman into giving me.  Even the wallet that was stolen was a cheap TJ Maxx wallet, but it was the wallet I bought senior year in HIGH SCHOOL after my other beloved wallet was stolen out of my car (Larissa should remember that wallet – Perry Ellis with the green flap, and Gina should remember that night…).  Inside that wallet was my college ID card, that I got sophomore year with Suzy.  Even that bag, a black messenger bag that has seen me through not only daily life, but also many trips back home, two trips to Europe, Mexico, Seattle, and Washington DC, where it was one of many black messenger bags at the bowling alley one night.  I am sentimental about my things.

I am also pissed off, sad and tired.

Creepy Cute

Ack!  I must learn how to crochet!  Nola made me this little devil from Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots and More! Seems like there are lots of crochet patterns out there for cute little critters.  It reminds me of my first (failed) lesson with Roberta’s mother in San An.  I had a coworker tell me she would teach me, and I might just take her up on it.

**Update**

The Smell Better Body Butter that I purchased on etsy has exceeded my expecations and then some.  I love love love it.  It isn’t an anti-perpirant, so doesn’t stop you from sweating but it really does stop you from smelling!  Even after a couple of slightly scary presentations, I still smelled like the angel I am at the end of the day.  I recommend that anyone try it!

Health and Beauty

I recently ordered this from Inspired Mama Creations on etsy.  I would like to stop using regular deodrant, and have tried a few different store brands, including Jason (which made me smell worse) and Tom’s of Maine.  The Tom’s of Main works ok, but isn’t great and sometimes irritates my skin.  I’ll report back on this new home made kind.

Also?

I have recently started using a neti pot on a regular basis and I believe it works really well.  Yes, you use it to pour water (warm salty water) through one nostril into the other and down a sink.  Its sorta gross, but I think that on nights that I remember to use it, I actually sleep better.  I didn’t think that this would work for me with a deviated septum and allergies and such, but it really does work!

Thinking

Things I think about: food, coffee, being passionate about my work, quilts, fabric, Loki, Tim, classes, going back to school, work, work, work, am I eating enough fruit, going to the farmer’s market, Web 2.0, interns, photography, SPEA, The Commission for Sustainability, recycling, living green, whether I can see the New Pornographers in concert, being a good person, travel, friends, organic food, allergies, natural leave-in conditioner, exercise, switching to gmail, having a baby someday, paint colors, books, The Clash, religion, gardening, health care, family, whether I should get new highlights, crosswords, publicity, and politics.

In no particular order, and not meant to be inclusive or exclusive.

Let’s Learn Russian II

Ok, here are the Russian phrases. I don’t know why but I went to try to edit the first post, it screwed it all up. That is what I get for having a Russian reader spell check (wink wink). If there are mistakes in this one we will just have to pretend and move on.

Russian Phrases
Эавтра (ZAHV-tra) – Tomorrow
Где (gdyeh) – Where?
Немного (nyeh-MNAW-go) – a few, little
Радостно (RAH-dast-no) – Happy, glad
Эдравствуйте (ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh) – How do you do, Hello
Привет (PrivEt) – Hi
Спасибо (spah-SEE-bo) – Thank you
Библиотека (bee-blee-a-THE-ka) – Library
До свидания (daw svee-DA-nee-ya) – Goodbye
Я не понимаю (Ya ne pa-nee-MA-yoo) – I don’t understand
За ваше здоровье (za VA-sheh zda-RO-v’yeh) – To your health

Let’s Learn Russian

Why? Why not? And because it is on the list of things to do, I am currently learning 10 Russian words and how to count to 10 in Russian. Might as well post what I am practicing. I’ve got about 7 of the words or phrases, and I am up to counting to 5! Due to technical difficulties, we will do this in two parts, starting with the numbers.

Russian Numbers
1. Один (ah-DEEN)
2. Два (dvah)
3. три (tree)
4. Четыре (chih-TIR-ee)
5. Пять (pyat)

6. Шесть (shayst)
7. Семь (syem)
8. Восемь (VOH-syem)
9. Девять (DYEH-vit)
10. Десять (DYEH-sit)

FCC Fiasco

I was a history major for one reason, I prefer the research to the actual writing. Those of you who know me, know that I am pretty passionate about different things. However, I don’t always feel confident about expressing what I mean and why. Check out one of Tomato Nation’s recent post (warning: language). Amen sister.

Pictures of the bunny and the new china cabinet are up for those of you interested. And while I refuse to say the word boring, I am sloooooowly getting through Locust, hoping to be done with it soon. I do want to finish it though, and get to the possible answer to the riddle of the extinction of the Rocky Mountain (Locust spretus). Also trying to finish up the last little part of the holiday quilts before I can quilt free move on to other projects.

Shock

I am in shock (not awe) on this day after the Election. I am, as Regina put it, really too sad to even talk about it. I liked this article about The Great Divide.