May Goal #3: Hot Yoga

I've been going to yoga for about 2 years now, but never in all my born days have I tried Hot Yoga. I mean, who would want to get their bodies into uncomfortable, strenuous positions in a room heated to 105ºF (40ºC)????

But, my friend Suzie says it's great. So, I gathered up my courage (and mustered some excitement) and joined her for a class.... a pump class. What's pump, you ask? Well, not only is it yoga in a 105ºF room, but it's yoga with weights! Yikes! As I was checking in for the class, the attendant was surprised that I would choose pump as a first hot yoga class. "Wow," she said, "your friend must not like you very much to bring you to a pump class." Hmmm. Thanks Suz! 

And, indeed, the class was rediculious. First of all, we had a very grueling substitute instructor, who (Suzie informed me) was not anywhere near as good as the regular one. By one half hour I was wiped out. Laying on my mat, soaked with sweat, light-headed and just dead, I was counting down the minutes till the door would open and a life-saving rush of cold air could rejuvenate my exhausted body.

The only redeeming factor was, once the door was opened, the substitute instructor passed out ice cold washclothes for our foreheads. Ice cold, lavender-infused washclothes. I swear. That one little piece of chilled material saved my life and made the whole experience worth it. 

When I got home, I looked ready to keel over.  

Since I had purchased a ten-day pass, I felt I had to try hot yoga once more. So, Suzie and I (yet again) went to a Wednesday night Pump class. And yay! The original teacher, Mindy, was there... and she was awesome. She had a great mix of music and a good grip on pace. She had tons of energy and made us laugh. The class flew by and before I knew it, I had completely finished my first hot yoga class! 

I felt amazing!

I can't wait to go again.... 

Here's a few tips that helped me: HOT YOGA BEGINNER TIPS

June Goals

June Goals

1) Eat fruit: Even if it's just organic fruit roll-ups (á la the kind Clover and I enjoyed on our 18 hour U-Haul trip through WA, OR and CA) or just organic/pure fruit juice. I have no problem getting vegetables into my diet, but fruit... for some reason, it's an endless struggle!

"Apples and Oranges" 

2) Write a short story: Later this month, I'll be attending a storytelling group (Seattle Moth) with my co-worker friends. If you choose to write a short story (like I will be) then your name is added to the bowl, only to be picked out at random, inviting you up to read your story out loud in front of LOTS of strangers. I'm nervous, scared and excited. :o) This month's theme? Temptation.

"Write what you know." ~ Jo March

3) Make-over my car: Poor '96 Honda, my little friend needs new brakes and completely new windshield wipers. In addition, after its trek to Vancouver and Anacortes, it's in deathly need of a good washing.

"Vroom, vroom, vroom." 

4) Buy concert tickets: After going to the Bon Iver concert with Solen (They were amazing! Soul-stiring even) I've been inspired to go to more shows. I've always gone to lots of concerts (especially durning college) but during grad school, it waned to 3-4 times a year. Time to go again and see what's our there!

"A concert is not a live rendition of our album. It's a theatrical event!" 

~ Freddie Murcury

5) Write letters to my friends: it's so easy to send out an email, but nothing beats getting real mail. I love seeing my name on the front of a letter, ripping open the envelope and sitting down to read a friend's words in their own handwriting.

"To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere 

without moving anything but your heart."  

~Phyllis Theroux

Gretchen's June Goals: Make Time for Friends

1) Remember Birthdays

2) Be Generous 

3) Show up

4) Don’t gossip

5) Make three new friends

MAY GOAL #5: Green Thumbs

It's alpine strawberry time! 

Here's what they look like close up:

 They pack such a delicious punch of strawberry flavor - without the watery-ness of larger strawberries. Here are my three little pots :o)

And my lavender, silver licorice and dahlias!