25 random things about me...

1. When I was little, I told everyone I wanted to be a clown and a cheerleader when I grew up.

2. My first sentence was "what y'all doin?" (And I'm not from the south)

3. I absolutely LOVE sunrises and sunsets.... I think they're the most beautiful things in the world.

4. I have an obsession for shoes... or you could say I just collect them.

5. I was voted "worst driver" in high school.

6. I have 11 nieces and nephews... plus 3 on Stefan's side of the family, and my oldest niece is only 3.5 years younger than me.

7. We take our dogs to doggie daycare every day during the week.... they have too much energy to leave at home all day.

8. I am "red" on the color code assessment.... I am apparently driven by power and always have to be right. I think Stefan can agree with that.

9. I was born in Montana, but consider Washington my home (and LOVE LOVE LOVE my Seattle Seahawks!)

10. I am afraid of ladybugs.

11. I took ballet and tap when I was little, then gymnastics for 6 years, and then switched over to drill team and cheerleading. I also ran the 800m and did long and triple jump in junior high. Then I decided that running was boring, and I wasn't any good at the jumps. :)

12. I would prefer a piece of fruit over candy or chocolate any day.

13. My dad is a collector--- he has a sports bar in my parents house and has thousands of autographs from athletes... and he also has a Pez collection :)

14. My mom is probably the most patient person in the world... clearly I didn't get those genes.

15. I've had two extra bones in my body removed, one in my left leg and the other in my right foot.... I'm convinced I was supposed to be a twin.

16. I absolutely LOVE planning things and being the hostess.

17. I am a perfectionist and love to organize things.

18. I work better when I have a lot on my plate... I've always been this way, and don't think I will ever change.

19. I have a newfound passion for Bikram Yoga and encourage anyone to try it...

20. I don't have patience for ignorant people.

21. I have a problem staying awake during movies.... any movie, any time of day, and any place.... even in the theater.

22. I have a double-jointed right hip, and I can make it pop out of its socket.

23. I love to read autobiographies... especially the ones about people coming from difficult backgrounds, mental disorders, etc.

24. I love that my imac has spell check on EVERYTHING.

25. I love music, singing, and dancing.... but I'm not good at singing, so I only do it in the car when I'm driving to yoga at 4am and need to do something to keep me awake :)

This moment in history...

“This is a new chapter in both American history and the world’s history.”

– British Prime Minister Gordon Brown

I’ve been gathering my thoughts and reflecting on the events that have transpired over the last several months and while it’s been an emotional ride, I’ve finally been able to put some of my thoughts into words…

A few days ago when Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th President, I felt such a strong sense of hope and overwhelming pride as an American. It was an incredible feeling and words were hard to come by while I was capturing every moment, watching the people in the crowd with tears streaming down their faces and an overwhelming glimpse of optimism in their eyes. The size and diversity of the crowds during the inauguration was extremely powerful. The message President Obama gave to the United States and the rest of the world during his speech instilled the notion that American ideals are still alive and he’s prepared to lead the country into a new chapter of optimism, hope, and dignity. The significance of this particular inauguration brings out the best of America and allows other countries the opportunity to see our country from a new perspective.

“We are eager for him to get to work so that with him, we can change the world.”

– Nicolas Sarkozy of France

Only in America would a woman and a black man debate over who is more qualified to become elected as a presidential candidate. What other country would elect a once-oppressed minority as their chief executive? We’ve proved wrong the idea that institutional racism is so entrenched in America as to block the election of a black president.

There has been a clear generational shift in the American electorate and there’s always been a paradox between Democratic values preached and they way they are practiced. This country was founded in slavery that expresses democratic ideas, which has always been a paradox. It’s fascinating that in 43 years, we’ve gone from a lack of voting rights to an audacious run for the white house that was actually taken seriously and resulted in a win. It’s more than just race that makes this such a remarkable breakthrough in both American and world history, due in part to the aspirations of earlier generations.

The campaign team and Barack himself did an incredible job of downplaying the issue of race throughout the entire campaign. America did not elect Barack Obama because he was black; he was elected as a candidate who happened to be black. He won the election because of his eagerness for a new approach and hope in America, and because his charisma has inspired so many Americans who have felt their voice would never be heard, especially during a time where our country has fallen. We’ve come together because we believe in the hope that Barack Obama stands for.

There have been several historical breakthroughs in American history that makes this Presidential election so significant. In 1948, President Harry Truman broke the line on racial segregation and discrimination in the military. Rosa parks had a pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement when she refused to give up her seat on the bus in 1955. In the early 1960’s, Martin Luther King Jr. focused on his challenge of legalized racial discrimination in the south and after passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, he continued to challenge the nation’s fundamental priorities. The election of our first black president has such a powerful importance to both American and world history, signifying a revitalization of the national spirit.

We’ve come a long way and there is a new beacon of hope in America with the election of our new President. While this is only the beginning, we’ve reached a monumental breakthrough in American and world history, and this should not go unrecognized by anyone. Whether you supported Barack during the election or regardless of your political views, you must admit the unparalleled historical significance of this election and embrace the future with continued hope for America and the rest of the world.

“Today is a great day not only for the United States of America, but for the entire world.”
– President Shimon Peres of Israel

1 day down... 29 to go....

I started the 30-day Bikram Yoga challenge today....

A little breakdown of my day.... and what will be my routine for the next 30 days as I take on this crazy challenge:

3:40am: Alarm goes off.... I hit snooze.

3:45am: Snooze again...

3:50am: Get out of bed, wash my face, brush my teeth, grab my yoga stuff and head out the door by 4am

4:40am: Arrive at Bikram Yoga Institute in Scottsdale, pay for the challenge, sign my name up on the challenge board, get my pic taken (you can't imagine how beautiful I look at this hour... I don't understand the poing of the picture yet), drop off my stuff and head into the toasty warm room!

5-6:30am: Wonderful yoga practice!! I'm starting to balance much better on my right foot... my right leg is still a little smaller than my left leg from being in a cast for a couple months, but definitely getting better..

6:40am: Shower, head to work... (Starbucks on the way for some tea and oatmeal)

7:00am: Arrive at work, finish getting ready....

7:30-4/5ish: Work....

I'm really excited to continue with this challenge

for the next 30 days and hope I'm able to

catch up on some sleep on the weekends!~

A video of the Director at the studio where I practice....

I am a Yogi..

I've been doing Bikram Yoga on and off for about a year now (the "off" part being a result of my foot injury), and am so excited to be back in the swing of things again and starting a 30-day challenge at Bikram Yoga Institute in Scottsdale starting on Wednesday!!

What is Bikram Yoga?

A lot of people consider Bikram to be the most intense type of yoga.... it involves a room heated to 105 degrees, and 26 yoga positions and 2 breathing exercises, all in 90 minutes.

Whenever I tell someone about the temperature, they usually say "you live in Arizona, why would you WANT it to be that hot in there?" Well, there are LOTS of benefits to the heat besides the benefit of looking so lovely dripping in sweat and having people flick sweat on you as they move from posture to posture!

The benefits of the HEAT:

• Heavy sweating helps detoxify the body.
• The heart rate is elevated (my dad once told me "you need to do cardio with that yoga stuff".... I tell him that my heart rate is much more elevated when I do Bikram than when I run for an hour).
• The heat helps the blood thin in your body, which helps clear the circulatory system.
• Weight loss is easier because your muscles are warm and can burn fat easier.
• The heated environment is very challenging, so it helps with mental strength and will power.
• The practice is designed to work every muscle, bone, joint, ligament, tendon, gland, and organ in the body.... "inside and out, fingertips to toes."

I've never had the energy to wake up early work out.... Bikram is the only thing that can get me up at 3:45 for a 5am class 30 miles from my house.

Bikram Yoga is the BEST workout I've ever had.... some people call it a living hell, but I personally enjoy the 105-degree room and the different positions... there's something about practicing yoga with a bunch of sweaty people :) The concentration you can hold is amazing.... I don't think about anything throughout the class but holding the poses and breathing.

If you can breathe, you can get through the class.

A few of my favorite poses....

Standing Bow

(Dandayamana Dhanurasana)

Toe Stand

(Padangustasana)

Eagle Pose

(Garurasana)

I encourage ANYONE to try it at least once.... or twice. You will probably hate it the first time, but after a couple times, you may be come addicted!!!

Laughter

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~Milton Berle

So last night we had our annual holiday party with my work, and we went to a murder mystery mansion dinner. When we walked in (through a Chinese restaurant), I realized it was far from a mansion and was a little worried as to how it would turn out....They seated us in the front table and since I heard they took people from the audience to be a part of the show all I was thinking was "great, just my luck!" Stefan on the other hand, was ecstatic about sitting in the front and was just waiting to be picked out of the audience.

When they started the show, I couldn't stop laughing.... not because it was particularly funny, but because it was so cheesy! Once they started getting people from the audience it was hard to stop laughing.... especially when my boss was up there, and of course, Stefan eventually made his way up there too. Stefan stole the show when he was in a dance-off with a few other people from the audience and danced with another man (dressed as a woman). It was the funniest thing I've seen in a while, and he clearly enjoyed himself on stage.

I realized that there is nothing like a good laugh, and no matter how bad of a day you've had, or how stressed out you have been, laughter can turn all of that around. We had a really fun time last night and as cheesy as it was, it was so nice to not have to think about work, responsibilities, or anything and just enjoy a good laugh with good company.

Carry laughter with you wherever you go. ~Hugh Sidey

How we met....

I can't believe I'm behind the times with blogging, and this is my VERY first one! I figured the best way to start would be to share how Stefan and I met.....

My very first memory of Stefan was when I was in junior high... My friend Nikki rode the bus home with me, and Stefan happened to be riding the bus home with one of his friends.... He was in the high school and we were in the junior high (the schools were next door so we shared the same buses). Our stops were one of the last few so when there were just a few people left on the bus, I got a good glimpse of him :) I have a very strange memory and remember that his friend wearing light tan doc marten sandals (and to this day, we can't figure out who it was!)-- the shoes have absolutely no relevance to how we met, but still, it's a detail that only I would probably remember.

I had the biggest crush on Stefan and I didn't even "know" him... but I'm pretty sure a lot of girls had a crush on him too. I remember his license plate on his car said "FRANCE" and my friend and I would always make up stories about what we thought it meant. (We found out later it used to be his mom's car and she's French, so when she came to the states she chose that as her personalized plate.) When I came to the high school, he was a senior (I was a sophomore), and I still had my crush on him... He would say "hi" in the hall and we both knew we were neighbors, but just never had any sort of conversation with each other. Everyone in our high school knew him and he was pretty well-liked so needless to say, I was kind of nervous whenever I saw him.

I started dating this guy Phil when I was a sophomore in high school, and he was also friends with Stefan. Stefan and I still just knew OF eachother, but still didn't have any sort of conversation.... Phil and I broke up the beginning of my junior year and a month after I got my drivers license, I got in a car accident (surprise surprise). Phil had called to make sure I was okay, and somehow Stefan learned about the accident (University Place is a small little city, so word gets around quick) and he sent me an email asking if I was ok. I think I probably crapped my pants when I got the email.

Stefan and I became really good friends, and didn't start dating until the beginning of my senior year (October of 1999) when I wrote him a letter telling him how I really felt. Luckily he felt the same way I did and we've been together ever since!!